India breathe to live another day. They’ve beaten Afghanistan by 66 runs. They’ll now need similar, massive wins against Scotland and Namibia over the coming week. They’ll then have to wait for Afghanistan to beat New Zealand and alternately keep working on their run-rate. Then, who knows?
On Wednesday, the Indian team, for the first time in this World Cup showcased what they are potentially capable of. At the Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, they had a great start to their door-die clash against Afghanistan. Most things went right, starting with the toss. They lost it again and Afghanistan, instead of sticking to what had worked for them in the tournament, that is batting first, chose to field, keeping the dew factor in mind.
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A 66-run win is keeping them in right stead for the moment.
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul – back to opening the innings after the debatable change in the match against New Zealand – scored half-centuries to give India the kind of momentum up the order which they’ve missed out on so far.

The boundaries and the sixes finally started coming in, although not so effortlessly except during moments. Sharma appeared like he was putting in brute strength initially to clear the ropes and Rahul kept shuffling constantly to come in line with the ball. It was an indication of India’s top batsmen not being in the kind of touch they’re usually expected to be in, in this tournament.
Although, the India vice-captain later said, “it was a good pitch to bat on”.

Afghanistan left out off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman for the game as he was not fit. His six wickets from two matches in Group 2, at an economy rate of just 4.25, had been a high point of his team’s run. Instead, the attack that Afghanistan went in with was feasted upon. Every single bowler who bowled two or more overs ended up giving runs between eight and 15 runs per over.
As Sharma and KL crossed their respective half-centuries and India went past 120 without losing any wicket, the onus remained on whether or not they would end up putting 200-plus runs on board. A 63-run partnership between Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya ensured that in just 21 balls.

India’s four batsmen put together blasted 10 sixes and 19 fours – a total of 136 runs coming from the big shots.
Afghanistan would eventually begin on a flash, flinch, lose wickets, lose some more, and eventually lose their way. This was a Team India show all the way.

To play for a win or hold on to the run-rate was possibly the only question on Afghanistan’s mind, and eventually that mindset resulted in them being able to hold on to neither. They allowed India to score at 10.50 runs per over and then capitulated for a mere 144 runs.
R Ashwin remained the pick of the bowlers with just 14 runs and two wickets from his four overs. Reunited with his old bowling partner Ravindra Jadeja after four years – the two last bowled together in a white-ball game back in 2017 – the two spinners put the brakes on Afghanistan each time they ran in to bowl.