India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
The third and final T20I between India and Afghanistan took place at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 20, 2024. With the series tied 1-1, this match was the decider, and both teams were keen to secure a victory. The match turned out to be a thrilling encounter, with fans witnessing some exceptional cricketing performances.
Table of Contents
Toss and Playing XIs
The toss played a crucial role in setting the tone for the match. India won the toss and elected to bat first, taking advantage of the favorable batting conditions in Bengaluru.
- India National Cricket Team Playing XI:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- KL Rahul
- Virat Kohli
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Hardik Pandya
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Shardul Thakur
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Arshdeep Singh
- Afghanistan National Cricket Team Playing XI:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
- Hazratullah Zazai
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Mohammad Nabi
- Najibullah Zadran
- Rashid Khan (C)
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Naveen-ul-Haq
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Karim Janat
- Gulbadin Naib
India’s Innings
Opening Partnership
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul walked out to open the innings for India. The duo faced a disciplined Afghan bowling attack that was keen on making early inroads. Despite the pressure, they managed to build a solid opening partnership, focusing on rotating the strike and capitalizing on loose deliveries.
- Rohit Sharma: Played the aggressor, attacking the spinners and ensuring that the run rate stayed healthy.
- KL Rahul: Played a more cautious role, anchoring the innings and ensuring that India didn’t lose early wickets.
Middle Order Contributions
After the dismissal of KL Rahul, who scored 45 off 35 balls, Virat Kohli took charge. Kohli, known for his consistency, built on the foundation laid by the openers. His partnership with Rohit Sharma was crucial in setting up a strong platform for the Indian innings.
- Virat Kohli: Scored a well-crafted 52 off 40 balls, focusing on rotating the strike and finding boundaries when needed.
- Suryakumar Yadav: Came in after Rohit’s dismissal and played an explosive innings, scoring 38 off just 20 balls, with some innovative shots.
Lower Order Finish
In the final overs, India’s finishing duo of Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja ensured that the team posted a competitive total. Their aggressive batting in the death overs added crucial runs to the scoreboard.
- Hardik Pandya: Played a pivotal role in the death overs, scoring 32 off 15 balls with 3 sixes.
- Ravindra Jadeja: Supported Pandya well, contributing 15 off 10 balls, ensuring India finished strong.
India Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma (C) | 78 | 49 | 8 | 3 | 159.18 |
| KL Rahul | 45 | 35 | 5 | 1 | 128.57 |
| Virat Kohli | 52 | 40 | 4 | 2 | 130.00 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 38 | 20 | 4 | 2 | 190.00 |
| Hardik Pandya | 32 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 213.33 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 15 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 150.00 |
| Rishabh Pant (WK) | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 166.67 |
| Shardul Thakur | 2* | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | DNB | ||||
| Yuzvendra Chahal | DNB | ||||
| Arshdeep Singh | DNB | ||||
| Total | 185/6 | 20 Overs |
Afghanistan’s Chase
Opening Partnership
Afghanistan’s chase started with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai at the crease. They needed a strong start to chase down the competitive total set by India. Gurbaz looked in good touch early on, but Zazai struggled to get going.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz: Played some aggressive shots and kept the scoreboard ticking.
- Hazratullah Zazai: Found it difficult to time the ball and was eventually dismissed early.
Middle Order Resistance
After the early loss of Zazai, Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran took charge. They needed to build a partnership to keep Afghanistan in the hunt. While Nabi played a more stabilizing role, Najibullah Zadran was the aggressor.
- Mohammad Nabi: Scored 48 off 36 balls, rotating the strike and playing sensible cricket.
- Najibullah Zadran: Scored 58 off 30 balls, hitting 4 sixes, and putting the Indian bowlers under pressure.
The Turning Point
Despite the strong resistance from the middle order, Afghanistan lost wickets at crucial moments. Yuzvendra Chahal’s spell was the game-changer, as he picked up key wickets and broke the momentum.
- Yuzvendra Chahal: Took 3 wickets for 28 runs in his 4 overs, derailing Afghanistan’s chase.
Lower Order Collapse
Afghanistan’s lower order couldn’t cope with the pressure, and the required run rate kept climbing. Despite Rashid Khan’s late heroics, Afghanistan fell short of the target.
- Rashid Khan: Scored 22 off 11 balls, hitting 2 sixes, but didn’t get enough support from the other end.
Afghanistan Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 35 | 24 | 4 | 1 | 145.83 |
| Hazratullah Zazai | 12 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 8 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 48 | 36 | 5 | 1 | 133.33 |
| Najibullah Zadran | 58 | 30 | 6 | 4 | 193.33 |
| Rashid Khan (C) | 22 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 200.00 |
| Gulbadin Naib | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 |
| Karim Janat | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 150.00 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Naveen-ul-Haq | 0* | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Total | 165 | 19.4 Overs |
Post-Match Analysis
Key Performances
- Rohit Sharma: Led from the front with a captain’s knock of 78 runs, setting the foundation for India’s total.
- Yuzvendra Chahal: His spell was decisive, taking crucial wickets at key moments, turning the match in India’s favor.
- Hardik Pandya: His explosive batting in the death overs ensured India posted a challenging total.
Match Summary
The match was a perfect example of a high-stakes T20I, with both teams fighting hard. India’s experience and depth in both batting and bowling ultimately made the difference, allowing them to clinch the series 2-1.
Series Overview
The T20I series between India and Afghanistan was a thrilling contest, with each match providing fans with unforgettable moments. Afghanistan’s spirited performances won them admiration, but India’s superior experience and quality helped them emerge victorious.
Conclusion
India’s 20-run victory in the 3rd T20I at Bengaluru sealed the series and showcased their dominance in the shortest format of the game. Afghanistan, despite their loss, displayed immense potential and growth as a cricketing nation. The series will be remembered for its competitive spirit and the remarkable individual performances that lit up the stadium.
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