INDIA: In a spectacular display of cricketing prowess, Rohit Sharma led India to a resounding 8-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup clash held in Delhi on Wednesday (October 11). Rohit’s remarkable innings of 131 left fans in awe as he demolished Afghanistan’s bowling attack while taking India close to the target of 272/8 with a staggering 15 overs to spare.
The match conditions couldn’t have been more favourable for Rohit, with short boundaries, a swift outfield, a flat wicket, a modest target, and dew all working in his favour.
During his scintillating 84-ball innings, Rohit Sharma etched his name in the record books by surpassing Chris Gayle’s tally of sixes in international cricket, notching up the fastest World Cup century for India in just 63 deliveries, and surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most centuries in the global event.
While the start of India’s chase was measured, Rohit Sharma soon shifted gears, single-handedly taking on Afghanistan’s bowling attack. Fazalhaq Farooqi bore the brunt, conceding 31 runs in just 10 balls before being replaced.
Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai faced a similar fate, leaking boundaries and sixes. Rohit’s dominance was evident as he accounted for 76 of India’s 94 runs in the powerplay.
Despite Rashid Khan’s reputation as a wicket-taker, Afghanistan curiously held him back until the 15th over, by which time Rohit Sharma had already amassed 88 off 52 balls. Rashid eventually got the better of Rohit, but not before experiencing the onslaught himself.
After Rohit’s departure, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer took over, steering India past the 200-run mark by the 25th over. Kohli’s unbeaten 55* and Iyer’s explosive 25* sealed the victory without further hiccups.
It was Iyer’s colossal 101-metre hit off Mujeeb that stole the spotlight, while Kohli’s back-to-back fifties marked a strong start to his World Cup campaign.
Earlier in the day, Afghanistan’s Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai staged a recovery with a 121-run partnership, rescuing their team from a precarious 63/3. However, Jasprit Bumrah’s superb spell of 4-39 limited Afghanistan to 272/8, denying them a chance at a substantial total.
Bumrah’s early strikes disrupted Afghanistan’s momentum, and despite Shahidi and Omarzai’s valiant efforts, Bumrah’s return at the death proved decisive. His double blow reduced Afghanistan from 184/3 to 235/7, leaving India in a commanding position. Mujeeb and Rashid tried to stage a late resurgence, but Bumrah’s mastery closed the door, ensuring Afghanistan posted a modest total.
In a match marked by breathtaking displays of skill, Rohit Sharma’s monumental innings will be etched in World Cup history, leaving fans eagerly awaiting India’s next encounter.
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