T20 World Cup: India keep slim hopes alive with big win over Afghanistan

India, after two damaging losses, finally got their ICC T20 World Cup campaign back on track with a 66-run victory over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi.

The good margin of result propelled India’s net run rate in Group 2 from -1.609 to +0.073, which plays a crucial factor in the remaining matches, as their fate is dependent on other teams, to make the semifinals.

And in a must-win game, India set the stage with a 140-run opening partnership between Rohit Sharma (47-ball 74) and KL Rahul (48-ball 69) powering India to a mammoth 210/2 — tournament’s highest total — at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. Bowlers led by Ravichandran Ashwin (2 for 14) and Mohammed Shami (3 for 32) ensured the first two points for India.

Sharma, who was named the player of the match, noted that the plan was to go after the bowling.

“We knew run rate could come into play. We wanted to win by a good margin. I am glad that we did that. The idea was to get off to a good start, which didn’t happen in the first two games. We wanted to lay a good platform for the other batters. It was exceptional batting from KL (Rahul) as well. The partnership was crucial from the team’s perspective.”

Made to bat first, the Indian openers put their best foot forward. Sharma was on song and relished milking the bowlers for boundaries, and Rahul, after a steady start, joined the party. India smashed 53, despite a one-run over from pacer Hamid Hassan. The openers continued unabated and reached 85 by the end of 10 overs. Both the batsmen reached their fifties in style — Sharma smashed Naveen-ul-Haq for a boundary and Rahul blasted Gulbadin Naib for a four.

It was a sight to cherish as Sharma went after Afghanistan’s ace spinner Rashid Khan, plonking back-to-back sixes, as India hit 135 by the end of 14 overs.

But Karim Janat, bowling his first over, removed Sharma, who drove the ball straight into the safe hands of Mohammad Nabi. After the fireworks, a quiet phase followed devoid of boundaries, and Rahul tried an innovative shot but was castled by Gulbadin Naib. Rishab Pant broke the lull with a couple of sixes and then Hardik Pandya took over with the duo raising a 63-run unbeaten third-wicket partnership in just 21 balls.

Rahul underlined that the pitch was the best one from the last three matches.