Sharma’s ton guides India to victory
Skipper Rohit Sharma’s quick-fire knock of 131 in 84 balls, which included 16 fours and five sixes, helped India record an easy eight-wicket win over Afghanistan in their Cricket World Cup fixture played at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi yesterday.
It was a fine display by the Indian team as opener Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan who hit 47 in 47 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes added a remarkable 156-run stand to lay a good platform. Virat Kohli hit 55 in 56 balls with 6 fours while Shreyas Iyer scored 25 in 23 balls to steer the side to victory with 15 overs to spare. Rashid Khan took both wickets, while Rohit Sharma was named the Man of the Match.
Afghanistan won the toss and with out any hesitation decided to bat first but they couldn’t get good start and were struggling 63 for 3 wickets in 13.1 overs.
The openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 21 in 28 balls with three fours and a six while Ibrahim Zadran 22 in 28 balls with 4 fours. Jasprit Bumrah got Ibrahim Zadran’s wicket in the seventh over while Hardik Pandya took Gurbaz’ wicket in the 13 over.
The paceman Shardul Thakur replaced for Ravichandran Ashwin took the wicket of Rahmat Shah who scored 16 in 22 balls. However skipper Hasthamullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai build up their innings to add 121 runs fourth wicket stand while Hasthamullah scored 80 in 88 balls with 8 fours and a six well supported by Azmatullah Omarzai who scored 62 in 69 balls with 2 fours and 4 sixes on this Delhi track. When Hasthamullah was out Afghans were 225 for 5 wickets after 42.4 overs and Indian bowlers did decent Job during last ten overs to restrict Afghanistan to 272 for 8 wickets.
The pacemam Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 for 39 in his ten overs spell while Hardik Pandya took 2 for 43.
As usual Indian spectators are full packed at Delhi stadium to see this game while their encouragement for Kholi and Sharma was very high.
Today Australia will meet South Africa in their game and after big win over Sri Lanka this time South Africans are ready to face Australia who lost to India by six wickets in their previous game in Chennai.
Chief scores
Afghanistan 272 for 8 wickets in 50 overs Rahmanullah Gurbaz 21, Ibrahim Zadran 22, Rahmat Shah 16, Hasmathullah Shahidi 80, Azmatullah Omarzai 62, Mohammed Nabi 19, Rashid Khan 16, Mujeeb Ur Rehman 10, Jasprit Bumrah 4/39, Hardik Pandya 2/43 Vs
India 273 for 2 wickets in 35 overs Rohit Sharma 131, Ishan Kishan 47, Virat Kohli 55*, Shreyas Iyer 25* Rashid Khan 2/57
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