T20 World Cup: India vs Afghanistan: May 1

RC Editor

On predictable lines India opened their campaign with an easy win over minnows Afghanistan by seven wickets and more than five overs to spare. It was an easy win, but more than the victory, it was necessary for Team India to show their intent in this T20 World Cup.

Brief Scores:

Afghanistan: 115/8 in 20 overs (Nehra 3/19, Praveen Kumar 2/14, Noor Ali 50)
India: 116/3 in 14.5 overs (Murali Vijay 48)

T20 World Cup: India vs Afghanistan: May 1

RC Editor

On predictable lines India opened their campaign with an easy win over minnows Afghanistan by seven wickets and more than five overs to spare. It was an easy win, but more than the victory, it was necessary for Team India to show their intent in this T20 World Cup.

But first, a word of appreciation for the players from the war torn nation. The Afghanistan team fought gallantly against a world class Indian bowling department. Noor Ali and Asghar Stanizkai, incidentally the only players to get into double figures for the Afghan side, featured in a steady partnership of 68 runs which formed the platform for the side to post a three-figure mark total.

From India;s point of view, it was expected that the spinners will play a heavy role on a slow wicket, but on the contrary, Asish Nehra used his bouncers effectively to rattle the Afghanis with three wickets and bag the Man of the Match award. Team Royal Challengers’ Praveen Kumar, the only RC player to feature in today’s match, chipped in with two quick wickets in the same over, but by that time, the writing was already on the wall on which way the match was tilting.

Chasing down the 116 target was a real walk in the woods for India, but it must be said that India should have won the match within fewer overs to signal its arrival and attitude in the tournament. Murali Vijay played well but was tad slow than his usual self. Gambhir and Raina fell cheaply, and Yuvraj Singh played in to find his form before the crucial game against the South Africans on Sunday.

Nevertheless a win at the start of a tournament gives a great impetus, especially, when Team India faces the all important game against the South Africans on Sunday to decide the Group C winners. The attitude was there to be seen while India was bowling, but it was somewhat lost while they were chasing the low total. Perhaps the slowness of the wicket made it difficult. But as professionals, there shouldn’t be any room for excuses.

Brief Scores:

Afghanistan: 115/8 in 20 overs (Nehra 3/19, Praveen Kumar 2/14, Noor Ali 50)
India: 116/3 in 14.5 overs (Murali Vijay 48)