Suryakumar Yadav lit up the cricketing stage with a quickfire fifty, helping India post a formidable total of 181 for 8 in their T20 World Cup 2024 Super Eight match against Afghanistan.

Early struggles

Winning the toss, Rohit Sharma opted to bat first, looking to put runs on the board and apply pressure on Afghanistan.

See Also: T20 World Cup 2024: Virat Kohli surpasses Rohit Sharma becomes top run-scorer in T20Is for India

India’s innings began on a challenging note as the openers struggled to find their footing. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli faced difficulties on a slow pitch, failing to capitalize on the powerplay. This early setback put India on the back foot, with the scoreboard reflecting a modest start.

Middle-Order rescue

The middle-order batsmen, however, began to steady the ship. Rishabh Pant, although his stay was brief, played a few crucial shots before falling to Rashid Khan. This set the stage for a more aggressive approach from the following batsmen.

Suryakumar Yadav’s quickfire fifty

Suryakumar Yadav’s innings was the highlight of India’s batting performance. Scoring 53 off just 28 balls, Yadav showcased his ability to dominate the bowlers with an array of aggressive shots. His sweeps and innovative stroke play kept the scoreboard ticking and put the pressure back on the Afghan bowlers.

A crucial 60-run partnership between Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya was instrumental in India’s recovery. Their aggressive approach and quick running between the wickets ensured that the run rate stayed healthy, setting up a strong platform for the final overs.

Hardik Pandya’s contribution

Hardik Pandya played a vital supporting role, contributing 32 off 24 balls. His calm demeanor and strategic hitting helped anchor the innings alongside Yadav. Hardik’s ability to rotate the strike and find boundaries was key in maintaining the momentum.

Afghanistan’s bowling performance

Afghanistan’s bowlers, particularly Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi, were outstanding. Rashid Khan’s spell of 3 for 26 was a masterclass in spin bowling, claiming the crucial wickets of Kohli, Pant, and Dube. Fazalhaq Farooqi also impressed with figures of 3 for 33, dismantling India’s top and middle order early in the innings.

India’s final push

The final over bowled by Naveen-ul-Haq saw India scoring 14 runs, pushing the total to 181. The Indian batters scored 102 runs in the last 10 overs, showcasing their ability to accelerate the innings and finish on a high.