Team India's talismanic batter Virat Kohli was rejoicing in his teammates' batting performances during the first innings of their T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 Group 1 clash against Afghanistan at the Kensington Oval in Barbados' Bridgetown on Thursday, June 21.
After opting to bat first, India posted a total of 181/8 in 20 overs and set 182-run target for Afghanistan to chase. Suryakumar Yadav was the star performer with the bat as he played a brilliant knock of 53 off 28 balls at a strike rate of 189.29. Hardik Pandya chipped in with an innings of 32 off 24 balls in the middle-order to help India post a defendable total on the board.
Virat Kohli walked back to the pavilion after scoring a decent 24 off 24 balls. However, the 35-year-old was spotted enthusiastically cheering for his teammates from the dressing room after his dismissal. In a video shared by ICC on its Instagram handle, Kohli was seen passionately reacting to some of the key moments during the India's batting.
Meanwhile, India opened their Super 8 account with a 47-run win over Afghanistan. After posting a total of 181/8, Indian bowling attack bundled out Afghanistan for 134 in 20 overs. Jasprit Bumrah led the bowling with an incredible figures 3/7 with an economy rate of 1.80 in four overs.
Arshdeep Singh too picked three wickets but conceded 36 runs with an economy rate of 9 in 4 overs. Apart from Bumrah and Arshdeep, Kuldeep Yadav (2/32) and Axar Patel (1/15) too contributed to India's bowling.
For Afghanistan, Azmatullah Omarzai led the batting with an innings of 26 off 20 balls, while other batters failed to score 20 runs or above as the second best score was 19 by Najibullah Zadran. A lack of contribution from the middle-order batters resulted in Afghanistan's defeat.
'Adapted well to the conditions that were offered': Rohit Sharma
Team India skipper Rohit Sharma was happy with the conditions that were offered for the match. He lauded the Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya's partnership that helped India post a defendable total on the board. He also praised Jasprit Bumrah for his bowling brilliance as well as his readiness to take the responsibility.
"We adapted well to the conditions that were offered. We knew the class of our bowling line up will defend this. Everyone coming in and doing their job. That is something we keep talking about." Rohit said at the post-match presentation.
"Surya and Hardik's partnership was a good one in the end. We know what Bumrah can do for us. It is important for us to use him smartly. He is the one who is ready to take the responsibility as well. Whereever he plays, he is always ready to take the responsibility." he added.
Team India will lock horns with Bangladesh in their second Super 8 clash at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday, June 21.
