IND VS AFG T20I

Right then. That is all we have from this game. On Thursday, 04th November 2021, we have two more games lined up for you. The first game sees the clash between Australia and Bangladesh at 2 pm local (10 am GMT), which will be followed by the battle between Sri Lanka and West Indies at 6 pm local (2 pm GMT). Do join us for all the action. Cheers!

Virat Kohli, the Indian captain says that the wicket was much better this time around and they spoke in the previous matches as well that they will try to have a couple of good overs at the top. Adds that they can play well but sometimes they do get under pressure when the opposition is bowling well. Mentions that T20 cricket is a very instinctive game and you have got to go with your gut. Adds that the top three are pretty much set and their power hitters can come in and play like they did today and also mentions that sometimes there are decisions to be made on the go. Mentions that in the previous two matches, the opposition did bowl really well and they would like to play like they did today. About the NRR, Kohli says that it was in the back of their minds and they will look to better it in every match if there is any chance of qualifying. Mentions that the best part of the day was the return of Ashwin, who he thought bowled exceptionally well and has been doing the same in the Indian T20 League and in the nets, so he's pretty pleased with Ashwin's performance today.

Mohammad Nabi, the skipper of Afghanistan says that they were looking to bat second because of the dew and feels that there was not enough dew and feels that India batted really well on this deck. Adds that they try to rotate the strike in the middle overs and feels that they didn't do that well in this game. Hopes that they do well in their last game.

ROHIT SHARMA IS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH! He says that the idea was to get off to a good start which hadn't happened in the previous two matches and applauds KL Rahul for his effort. Mentions that their partnership was a good one. Adds that he was a bit surprised when Afghanistan elected to bowl because they were prepared to bowl first themselves. Adds that they went in to bat keeping the NRR in mind and it was important to get a big total on board. Mentions that this is the way he wants to play and it was important for him to get in and play good cricketing shots.

The Indian bowling was on point. Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah started off well. The spinners did a really good job in the middle overs. Especially Ravichandran Ashwin who had a very good return back into the team, as he finished with figures with 4-0-14-2. Overall, it was a performance from India that we are used to seeing them give. First their batters, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma helped them set up a huge score, and then their bowlers did a great job to give them a big win.

Something above 200 was never going to be easy to chase and Afghanistan got off to the worst start possible as they lost both their openers quickly. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Gulbadin Naib did strike a few meaty blows but whenever the momentum seemed like shifting, Afghanistan lost a wicket. There were a few who got off to starts but none could make it significant. Mohammad Nabi played well in his stay out there, but, in the end, they fell well short of the desired total.

India finally open their account in this year’s World Cup and it is just the kind of win they needed to keep their hopes alive of going through. An emphatic performance from them when needed as they have smashed Afghanistan by 66 runs.

SIX! A maximum to end proceedings from Karim Janat but it's India who pick up the win! Pandya bowls a slower one, this is short and wide as well. Janat slaps it over the point fence for a biggie and finishes on 42. INDIA WIN BY 66 RUNS!

Banged into the pitch, around off. Ashraf makes a good connection on the pull shot, which goes on the bounce to the man at the cow corner fence. Just a single.

Back of a length, Janat pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for another single.

Shorter one, around off and Ashraf pulls this one behind square on thye leg side for a single.

Janat moves across the leg stump and Pandya follows him. Thakur bowls a length ball and cramps Janat for room, who manges to get it away on the leg side for a single.

FOUR! Pandya does not start the last over well. On top of off, Janat makes a bit of room for himself and slashes it into the point fence for a consolation boundary.

Shami gets the yorker in, around off stump. Ashraf jams it out on the off side.

Full and straight, driven down to long off for a single.

In the slot again and Janat thumps it back over the bowler's head for a couple.

Indian bowlers have conceded at an economy of 11.5 during the last five overs, the worst among all teams. Also, this is their first wicket in this phase.