Kohli’s Epic Six Revives Memories
Virat Kohli may not have had the best T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, but he brought back memories of his famous six against Pakistan with a similar shot against Afghanistan. During the Super 8 match on Thursday, Kohli capitalized on a short and wide delivery from Naveen-ul-Haq in the fifth over, smashing the ball straight down the ground for a massive six. The shot quickly went viral on social media, with fans drawing comparisons to his legendary six off Haris Rauf during the T20 World Cup 2022. On that occasion, Kohli’s unbeaten 82 off 53 balls had guided India to a famous victory over Pakistan.
Kohli’s Performance
Despite the excitement from his iconic shot, Kohli was dismissed by Rashid Khan after scoring 24 off 24 balls. While he did not stay long at the crease, his moment of brilliance reminded fans of his ability to deliver under pressure.
India Wins the Toss
Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat first. The decision proved strategic on a pitch that seemed likely to get slower as the game progressed. Rohit emphasized the importance of adapting quickly to the conditions, noting that the team had prepared well and was ready to take on the challenge.
Team Changes
Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav replaced fast-bowler Mohammed Siraj in the Indian playing XI. This change aimed to strengthen India’s spin attack against Afghanistan. India has historically dominated Afghanistan in T20Is, having never lost to them in the format.
Captain’s Comments
Rohit Sharma shared his thoughts on the pitch and conditions, highlighting the importance of quick adaptation and preparation. He expressed confidence in his team’s readiness to perform.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan mentioned the inclusion of Hazratullah Zazai in place of Karim Janat. Zazai’s entry was significant as he replaced injured spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Rashid acknowledged the challenge of facing strong teams and emphasized the need to play their natural game while controlling emotions.
Playing XIs
India:
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Shivam Dube
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
Afghanistan:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Najibullah Zadran
- Hazratullah Zazai
- Gulbadin Naib
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rashid Khan (c)
- Noor Ahmad
- Naveen-ul-Haq
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
India’s Innings
After winning the toss, India chose to bat and set a competitive target. Despite early wickets, notable contributions came from various players. Suryakumar Yadav stood out with his fearless batting, scoring 53 off 28 balls. His ability to find boundaries under challenging conditions was crucial for India. Rishabh Pant added a quick 20 off 11 balls, while Hardik Pandya contributed 32 off 24 balls, providing a strong finish to the innings.
Afghanistan’s Chase
Afghanistan struggled in their run chase, managing only 134 in their 20 overs. Early wickets from Jasprit Bumrah, who took 3 for 7, set the tone for India’s bowling dominance. Kuldeep Yadav, playing his first match of the tournament, also made an impact with 2 for 32, breaking partnerships and maintaining pressure.
Key Moments
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s Early Intent: He started with a six and a four off Arshdeep Singh but was soon dismissed by Bumrah.
- Hazratullah Zazai’s Struggle: Replacing an injured player, Zazai couldn’t make an impact, falling to Bumrah.
- Kuldeep Yadav’s Introduction: Kuldeep’s entry in the middle overs was pivotal, taking crucial wickets and stifling Afghanistan’s scoring.
India’s commanding 47-run victory over Afghanistan in the Super 8 match was a testament to their preparation and strategic execution. Virat Kohli’s iconic six, reminiscent of his previous heroics, thrilled fans and highlighted his ability to deliver in key moments. As India gears up for their next fixture against Bangladesh, they carry forward the confidence and momentum gained from this win.
