The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 is heating up, and the excitement reaches a fever pitch as Afghanistan faces India in the Super 8 match 3 at Kensington Oval. This highly anticipated clash, set for Thursday, June 20 at 8:00 PM, promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams vie for supremacy in the next stage of the tournament.

Afghanistan’s road to Super 8s

Afghanistan’s journey to the Super 8s has been a rollercoaster. Despite a setback against West Indies in their last Group C match, Afghanistan secured their spot in the Super 8s with 6 points, showcasing resilience and determination.

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The defeat against West Indies was a tough pill to swallow, but Afghanistan, led by their star players, is ready to bounce back. Rashid Khan and his team are eager to make a statement against India, overcoming the disappointment of their previous match.

India’s dominance in Group stage

Team India, captained by Rohit Sharma, has been unstoppable in the group stage. With three wins and one rain-affected match against Canada, India accumulated 7 points, demonstrating their dominance and consistency.

India’s victories against Ireland, Pakistan, and the United States have cemented their status as one of the top contenders in the tournament. The team’s comprehensive performances have been marked by both stellar batting and exceptional bowling.

Head-to-Head: Key Player Battles

1. Rohit Sharma vs Rashid Khan

Rohit Sharma had a solid start to the tournament, scoring 52 off 37 balls against Ireland. However, his performances against Pakistan and the United States were less impactful, with scores of 13 and 3, respectively.

Rashid Khan, one of the greatest T20I bowlers, has a stellar record in World Cup cricket. He has dismissed Rohit Sharma four times in eight matches, making this a crucial matchup to watch. Rashid’s brilliance against left-handers and his overall consistency pose a significant challenge for Sharma.

Rashid Khan’s stats in the 2024 T20 World Cup

Innings	Wickets	Strike Rate	Economy Rate	Average
4	6	16	6.2	16.5

2. Virat Kohli vs Fazalhaq Farooqi

Virat Kohli, a titan in T20 cricket, has had a surprisingly quiet tournament so far. With scores of 1, 4, and 0 in three innings, Kohli’s performance is the lowest among Indian batters, a stark contrast to his usual form.

Fazalhaq Farooqi has been the standout bowler of the tournament, leading the wicket-taking charts with 12 wickets in three games at an incredible economy rate of 3.70. His bowling figures of 5/9, 4/17, and 3/16 have been instrumental in Afghanistan’s success.

Fazalhaq Farooqi’s Stats in the 2024 T20 World Cup

Innings	Wickets	Economy Rate
3	12	3.70

3. Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Jasprit Bumrah

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is a formidable opener for Afghanistan, known for his aggressive batting in the powerplay. His match-winning 80 against New Zealand highlights his potential to disrupt the Indian bowling attack.

Jasprit Bumrah, an all-time great in white-ball cricket, has been exceptional with the new ball. His performances against Pakistan and Ireland earned him Player of the Match awards, showcasing his ability to deliver under pressure.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s Stats in the 2024 T20 World Cup

Innings	Runs	Average	Strike Rate	50/100
4	167	41.75	150.4	2/0

Jasprit Bumrah’s Stats in the 2024 T20 World Cup

Innings	Wickets	Strike Rate	Economy Rate	Average
3	5	13.2	4.1	9