| 0.0 : Welcome ladies and gentlemen for Match 28 of this edition's ICC World Cup. It's India versus Afghanistan at The Rose Bowl, Southampton. One team on a winning streak while the other is on a losing rut and this game looks like a complete mismatch. Having said that, in cricket anything is possible and we are looking forward to a good contest. Stay with us for more updates... |
| Pitch report - Pommie Mbangwa and Rameez Raja are out there to inspect the surface. The Zimbabwean starts by telling that it's a big stadium. Adds that if you are bowling from the Pavilion End, then the square boundaries are on the shorter side and from the Northern End, hitting down the ground will be a better option. Rameez Raja has a look at the pitch and he starts by saying that it's a beauty and has a brown look to it. Feels that there will be something in it for the spinners. Mentions that |
| Toss - Virat Kohli flips the coin, Gulbadin Naib calls incorrectly. The crowd goes mad after that and Kohli has to wait for a while to tell what they will be doing... INDIA ARE BATTING FIRST! |
| India skipper, Virat Kohli says that it looks like a good surface, nice and hard. Tells that it's a beautiful day to play cricket and they would look to put runs on the board. Informs about the forced change as Mohammed Shami comes in for the injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Showers praise on Vijay Shankar and tells that he is a good package and provides a good balance to the side. Adds that it doesn't matter who the opposition is, their mindset is exactly the same. States that they cannot take Afghan |
| Afghanistan skipper, Gulbadin Naib, smiles and says that he would have batted first also. Feels it will be a long day and he is looking forward to the end of the day. Informs about the changes in his side - Noor Ali Zadran is not playing and in comes Hazrat Zazai, also Dawlat Zadran is replaced by Aftab Alam. On their batting performance against England, he replies that they have taken a lot of positives from that. |
| India (Playing XI) - KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli(C), Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni(WK), Hardik Pandya, Kedar Jadhav, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami (IN FOR BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR), Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah. |
| Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Hazrat Zazai (IN FOR NOOR ALI ZADRAN), Gulbadin Naib(C), Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Ali Khil(WK), Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Aftab Alam (IN FOR DAWLAT ZADRAN), Mujeeb Ur Rahman. |
| Boys from both the sides are out in the middle to sing their respective national anthems. Afghanistan's first followed by India's... |
| Time to get underway! The Afghans get into a huddle before spreading on the field. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul now cross the boundary line to open the batting for India. Afghanistan, as expected, are beginning with the spin of Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Rahul to face first ball. All in readiness, here we go... |
| 0.1 : Ur Rahman to KL Rahul, Starts off with a flatter ball just outside off, Rahul pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 0.2 : Ur Rahman to KL Rahul, Slightly shorter and on the stumps this time, Rahul goes back and pushes it down to long on for one. India and Rahul are underway. |
| 0.3 : Ur Rahman to R Sharma, Tosses this one up on off, Rohit pushes it to mid off. |
| 0.4 : Ur Rahman to R Sharma, Good running! Rohit too is off the mark! This one turns in just a little after pitching outside off, Rohit pushes it against the turn towards mid off and takes a quick run. |
| 0.5 : Ur Rahman to KL Rahul, Another single to the same fielder! Rahul this time strokes it wide of mid off and gets to the other end easily. |
| 0.6 : Ur Rahman to R Sharma, A dot to end! This is a slider and it is on the pads, Rohit looks to play it with a closed faced bat but closes it too early. A soft leading edge is induced towards point. A tight first over by Mujeeb. |
| Aftab Alam to bowl from the other end with the second new ball. |
| 1.1 : A Alam to KL Rahul, Starts off with a back of a length ball on off, Rahul stays back and defends it to cover. |
| 1.2 : A Alam to KL Rahul, Slightly shorter and outside off, it seemed like it came off slow from the surface. Rahul looks to push it firmly but ends up mistiming it to mid off. |
| 1.3 : A Alam to KL Rahul, This time gets the timing right! Goes back to this shortish ball outside off and strokes it through cover-point. The batters take two. |
| 1.4 : A Alam to KL Rahul, Fails to find the gap this time! There was more width on offer outside off this time, the length was similar. The batter goes back and guides it straight to cover-point. Rahul will feel he misses out there. |
| 1.5 : A Alam to KL Rahul, Slightly fuller on off, no swing on offer for the bowler. Rahul strokes it to cover. |
| 1.6 : A Alam to KL Rahul, Gets this one to tail back in just a little, the line is a little too straight though. Rahul works it through mid-wicket and takes one. A good start by Alam as well. |
| 2.1 : Ur Rahman to KL Rahul, In the air... but just wide! First sign of aggression there by Rahul. He makes room and looks to go over cover. The ball though sticks in the surface. Goes off the inner half uppishly but wide of mid-wicket and down to long on for one. |
| 2.2 : Ur Rahman to R Sharma, On the stumps, it is kept out. |
| 2.3 : Ur Rahman to R Sharma, Flatter and on off, Rohit goes back and pushes it to cover. |
| 2.4 : Ur Rahman to R Sharma, On the shorter side and on the stumps, once again it comes off slowly from the surface. Rohit pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 2.5 : Ur Rahman to R Sharma, Attacks the stumps again, Rohit works it to mid-wicket. |
| 2.6 : Ur Rahman to R Sharma, Another dot to end another good over by Mujeeb. He continues attacking the stumps. Sharma takes his time and blocks this out. |
| 3.1 : A Alam to KL Rahul, Good line and length by the pacer too! He lands it around off, offering no room to the batsman, Rahul goes back and defends it onto the ground. |
| 3.2 : A Alam to KL Rahul, Good stop! Slightly shorter and on off, Rahul gets on top of the bounce and looks to guide it past point. Zadran there dives to his right and saves at least two. |
| 3.3 : A Alam to KL Rahul, Continues bowling it on off, Rahul goes back and pushes it to the point fielder. |
| 3.4 : A Alam to KL Rahul, 4 dots in a row! Length again and on off, Rahul defends it out. So India have started cautiously here. |
| 3.5 : A Alam to KL Rahul, OHHHHH! Make that 5 dots in a row and probably this is the best ball of the over. It is fuller and it tails back in just a little and late. Rahul looks to drive it against the swing but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 3.6 : A Alam to KL Rahul, Lovely bowling! A maiden! Attacks the stumps again, Rahul works it to mid on. A lot more intent in the way Afghanistan have started today. They are bowling better lines and also, the fielding seems to be better. Need to continue this though. |
| Early opinion - The pitch appears to be on the slower side and so far the batsmen have found it a touch tough to time their shots. If Afghanistan stick to good lines and lengths, the Indians will have to really work hard for every run. |
| 4.1 : Ur Rahman to R Sharma, Just outside off, Rohit drives it but can't get it past cover. |
| 4.2 : Ur Rahman to R Sharma, OUT! TIMBER! Mujeeb strikes! The tight bowling early on has paid dividends. Huge wicket this as Rohit was in top form in this World Cup. An absolute peach to get rid of him. Mujeeb goes wide of the crease and angles it into the batter. Rohit plays for the original trajectory but it pitches and holds its line, beats the outside edge and hits the off pole. The Afghanistan players are delighted. Just the start they would have wanted after being asked to bowl first. |
| Virat Kohli is the number 3 batsman for India. |
| 4.3 : Ur Rahman to V Kohli, Kohli is off the mark straightaway! Shorter and on middle, Kohli works it in front of square for one. |
| 4.4 : Ur Rahman to KL Rahul, This one is down the leg side, Rahul works it through square leg for one. |
| 4.5 : Ur Rahman to V Kohli, Flatter and around off, Kohli opens the face of the bat and guides it to point. |
| 4.6 : Ur Rahman to V Kohli, Shorter and around off, Kohli looks to cut but due to the slowness of the wicket, he chops it to point. End of a successful over for Afghanistan. |
| 5.1 : A Alam to KL Rahul, On the fuller side and around middle, Rahul strokes it back to the bowler firmly. He stops it, not cleanly but no runs conceded. |
| 5.2 : A Alam to KL Rahul, FOUR! First boundary for India. A lovely shot by Rahul. Back of a length ball on off, Rahul stands tall and guides it through cover-point. It is in the gap and once it beats the fielder in the ring, it is going to race away. |
| 5.3 : A Alam to KL Rahul, Rahul is disappointed with himself there! He once again gets room on offer. He fails to make use of it as he punches it straight to cover. |
| 5.4 : A Alam to KL Rahul, Attacks the off pole, Rahul lunges and defends it onto the ground. |
| 5.5 : A Alam to KL Rahul, EDGED! It goes between the keeper and the fielder at second slip! FOUR! They just moved him to second slip and they would now be ruining on that move. This lands around off and then straightens. Rahul ends up playing inside the line, the ball goes off the outside edge and through the vacant first slip region for a boundary. |
| 5.6 : A Alam to KL Rahul, A single to end a good over for India. 9 from it. Rahul works this with the angle through mid-wicket for one. |
| 6.1 : Ur Rahman to KL Rahul, Flatter and outside off, this one drifts back in. Rahul looks to punch it through the off side but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball then rolls on the leg side but no runs taken. |
| 6.2 : Ur Rahman to KL Rahul, On the off pole, Rahul blocks it out. |
| 6.3 : Ur Rahman to KL Rahul, Flatter and on middle, Rahul goes back and pushes it down to long on for one. |
| 6.4 : Ur Rahman to V Kohli, Another single as Kohli pushes it off the back foot down to long on. |
| 6.5 : Ur Rahman to KL Rahul, On the stumps, Rahul lunges and defends it onto the ground. |
| 6.6 : Ur Rahman to KL Rahul, Rahul uses his feet but comes out a touch early. Mujeeb bowls it wide outside off, Rahul adjusts and strokes it to mid off. Mujeeb has once again kept it tight. He has only gone for 8 in his 4 overs and also taken a wicket. |
| 7.1 : A Alam to V Kohli, This is on the pads, Kohli works it through mid-wicket and two runs for him. |
| 7.2 : A Alam to V Kohli, This is angled into the batsman, Kohli looks to defend but it goes off the inner half through square leg for one. |
| 7.3 : A Alam to KL Rahul, On the stumps again, Rahul works it through mid-wicket. They take one quickly, Rahul wants a second but is sent back. |
| 7.4 : A Alam to V Kohli, FOUR! Poor ball and put away! Alam drifts it on the pads, Kohli is too strong over there, he flicks it behind square and the ball races away to the fence. |
| 7.5 : A Alam to V Kohli, FOUR! Now through the off side! Consecutive boundaries! This time there is width offered outside off, Kohli punches it off the back foot, finds the gap through cover-point and it races away. |
| 7.6 : A Alam to V Kohli, Misfield and a couple! Another expensive over from Alam. 14 from it. This is short and on middle, Kohli pulls it through square leg. Nabi fumbles and an extra run is taken. This is probably going to be Aftab's last over of this spell. |
| 8.1 : Ur Rahman to KL Rahul, Mujeeb continues bowling a tight line and length. Rahul defends it. |
| 8.2 : Ur Rahman to KL Rahul, This is flatter and on middle, Rahul pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 8.3 : Ur Rahman to KL Rahul, On the off stump, this goes on with the arm. Rahul plays inside the line and it goes off the outer half to backward point. |
| 8.4 : Ur Rahman to KL Rahul, On the stumps once again, Rahul prods forward and defends it onto the ground. |
| 8.5 : Ur Rahman to KL Rahul, This is flatter and on middle, Rahul goes back and works it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 8.6 : Ur Rahman to V Kohli, A single to end another good over by Mujeeb! Short and on middle, Kohli pulls it all along the ground but towards deep mid-wicket. Once again Mujeeb keeps it tight, need the same pressure to be put on from the other end as well which is not the case in the last few overs. |
| Gulbadin Naib is on now! The captain brings himself on here. |
| 9.1 : G Naib to V Kohli, Kohli welcomes him into the attack with a lovely cover-drive. It is full and outside off, Kohli leans into it and strokes it towards cover. The fielder there gets a hand to it which takes the pace of the ball. The mid off fielder hares after it and saves a run for his side. |
| 9.2 : G Naib to KL Rahul, Poor ball again! Short and wide outside off, Rahul slashes at it and it goes down towards third man for one. |
| 9.3 : G Naib to V Kohli, Another single! This time he attacks the stumps, Kohli works it through mid-wicket and a single is taken. |
| 9.4 : G Naib to KL Rahul, Slower one and fuller in length, Rahul hits it firmly but straight at the bowler who does stop it. He seems to have hurt is hand in the process but is fine to bowl. |
| 9.5 : G Naib to KL Rahul, BEATEN! Just behind a driving length outside off, Rahul throws his bat at it but gets beaten. Loose shot, got carried away by the width on offer there. |
| 9.6 : G Naib to KL Rahul, Another dot to end! Rahul works this with the angle to mid-wicket. 5 from the 10th. A decent Powerplay for both the sides. |
| Powerplay 2 begins! No more than 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over. |
| 10.1 : Ur Rahman to V Kohli, Flatter and on off, Kohli pushes it to cover. |
| 10.2 : Ur Rahman to V Kohli, Outside off, Kohli goes back and pushes it through covers for one. |
| 10.3 : Ur Rahman to KL Rahul, This one is angled into the batter, Rahul works it towards square leg and takes one. |
| 10.4 : Ur Rahman to V Kohli, Bowls it outside off, Kohli pushes it down to long on for one. |
| 10.5 : Ur Rahman to KL Rahul, Another single as Rahul goes back and pushes it to cover for one. |
| 10.6 : Ur Rahman to V Kohli, FOUR! Poor ball and it spoils the over completely! A full toss down the leg side, Kohli flicks it fine and it races to the fine leg fence. |
| 11.1 : G Naib to KL Rahul, Slower one and outside off, this is left alone. |
| 11.2 : G Naib to KL Rahul, On the pads, this is worked around the corner for one. 50 up for India. |
| 11.3 : G Naib to V Kohli, Overthrow and an extra run! Sloppy stuff from Afghanistan. This is shorter and outside off, it is hit to sweeper cover. They take one. The throw from the fielder in the deep is a wild one at the keeper's end which the keeper fails to collect. No one backing up and another run is taken. |
| 11.4 : G Naib to V Kohli, Goes very short! Bounces way above the batsman's head. Wided. |
| G Naib to V Kohli, The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 11.5 : G Naib to KL Rahul, Back of a length on off, Rahul guides it down to third man for one. |
| 11.6 : G Naib to V Kohli, Back of a length on off, Kohli stands tall and pushes it to the man at cover. |
| Mohammad Nabi comes on to bowl now. |
| 12.1 : M Nabi to KL Rahul, Flatter and on off, Rahul pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 12.2 : M Nabi to KL Rahul, Another flatter ball on the stumps, this is pushed down to long on for one. |
| Did you know? This is the first time Virat Kohli is batting against Afghanistan in ODIs. In the only ODI, these two teams have met, Kohli was not required in the run chase as India won by 8 wickets and Rohit Sharma batted number 3. |
| 12.3 : M Nabi to V Kohli, Fuller on off, Kohli strokes it to covers. |
| 12.4 : M Nabi to V Kohli, Kohli works it with the turn with soft hands through mid-wicket for one. 50-run stand up between the two. They have got things back on track after India lost Rohit Sharma early. They need to keep going. |
| 12.5 : M Nabi to KL Rahul, On the off pole, this is pushed through covers for one. |
| 12.6 : M Nabi to V Kohli, Down the leg side and it has been wided. |
| M Nabi to V Kohli, Good stop! Quicker and on off, Rahul goes back and pushes it towards cover where the fielder dives to his left and stops it. Just the 4 from Nabi's first. |
| 13.1 : G Naib to KL Rahul, Another good effort in the field! Naib goes short and Rahul won't be troubled at that pace. He goes back and pulls it behind square on the leg side. The fielder in the deep runs to his right, dives and saves two for his side. |
| 13.2 : G Naib to KL Rahul, Goes slightly fuller than the last ball this time, Rahul defends it onto the ground. |
| 13.3 : G Naib to KL Rahul, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 13.4 : G Naib to KL Rahul, Good length and around off, Rahul drives it nicely through cover for one. |
| 13.5 : G Naib to V Kohli, A misfield again and a run! Back of a length around off, this is guided towards Zadran at point. He dives to his right but only manages to push it away from him and a run is taken. |
| 13.6 : G Naib to KL Rahul, Rahul guides this one through backward point and then down towards third man for another single. |
| 14.1 : M Nabi to KL Rahul, Floats it up on off, Rahul pushes it to cover. |
| 14.2 : M Nabi to KL Rahul, OUT! Nabi strikes! Rahul looks to innovate but it does not come off. Such shots are wonderful when they come off but ugly when they don't. Rahul looks to play the reverse sweep but Nabi bowls it slower and gets some extra bounce on it. The ball goes off the top edge and it balloons to the fielder at short third man. Zazai there takes a dolly. A much-needed wicket for Afghanistan as the two were looking in control and the partnership was starting to look threatening. |
| Vijay Shankar comes out to bat. |
| 14.3 : M Nabi to V Shankar, Flatter and outside off, this is guided to point. |
| 14.4 : M Nabi to V Shankar, Shankar is off the mark as he eases this down to long on. |
| 14.5 : M Nabi to V Kohli, On the off pole, Kohli eases it down to long on and takes one. |
| 14.6 : M Nabi to V Shankar, End of a very good over by Nabi. Just the two runs and a wicket from it. This is pitched outside off and turns back in a little. Shankar looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 15.1 : G Naib to V Kohli, On the shorter side, Kohli goes back and pulls it hard towards fine leg for one. |
| 15.2 : G Naib to V Shankar, On a good length and on middle, Shankar works it towards the right of the bowler. He thinks of a run but is rightly sent back by his captain. |
| 15.3 : G Naib to V Shankar, Another length ball and outside off, Shankar lets it be. |
| 15.4 : G Naib to V Shankar, Lands it on a length and outside off, Shankar pushes it through covers for one. |
| 15.5 : G Naib to V Kohli, Good running! A slower one on off, VK taps it towards cover-point and gets to the other end. There is a shy from the fielder but he misses. |
| 15.6 : G Naib to V Shankar, WIDE! Outside the tramline on the off side and it has been wided. |
| G Naib to V Shankar, A single to end! Back of a length on off, Shankar gets on top of the bounce and works it towards square leg for one. |
| 16.1 : M Nabi to V Shankar, Flighted and on off, Shankar shuffles across and then strokes it down to long on for one. |
| 16.2 : M Nabi to V Kohli, Flatter and on the pads, Kohli goes back and works it to mid-wicket. |
| 16.3 : M Nabi to V Kohli, Another dot as Kohli once again works it to mid-wicket. |
| 16.4 : M Nabi to V Kohli, Three balls in a row now! On the stumps, Kohli works it to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 16.5 : M Nabi to V Kohli, Kohli this time gets it past the fielder at mid-wicket and the ball goes down to long on for one. |
| 16.6 : M Nabi to V Shankar, Lovely bowling and a lovely over! This is floated up on off, Shankar prods forward and keeps it out. |
| 17.1 : G Naib to V Kohli, Back of a length on off, Kohli stands tall and punches it to mid off. |
| 17.2 : G Naib to V Kohli, Length ball and outside off, Kohli guides it towards the right of the keeper and takes one. |
| 17.3 : G Naib to V Shankar, Attacks the stumps again and Shankar defends it out. |
| 17.4 : G Naib to V Shankar, On the fuller side and on off, Shankar pushes it to mid off. |
| 17.5 : G Naib to V Shankar, On the pads, Shankar flicks it through backward square leg and a single is taken. |
| 17.6 : G Naib to V Kohli, A dot to end! Short and it is on the slower side. Kohli looks to pull but gets beaten. Just the two from the over. |
| Drinks break. A watchful India are going on decently at the moment. Two wickets have not hampered them much but they would like to get a big partnership here. Virat Kohli has looked in sublime touch while Vijay Shankar has just come out and would like to make this opportunity count. The pitch has been on the slower side and the spinners have fared decently so far. With the spin king, Rashid Khan, yet to bowl, he will be a different challenge altogether for the Men in Blue. The middle phase will |
| 18.1 : M Nabi to V Shankar, Floats it up on off, this is hit down to long on for one. |
| 18.2 : M Nabi to V Kohli, On the pads, Kohli flicks it towards square leg, sees that it beats the dive of the fielder there and a run is taken. |
| 18.3 : M Nabi to V Shankar, Good running! This is flatter and on off, Shankar opens the face of the bat at the very end and guides it towards point for one. |
| 18.4 : M Nabi to V Kohli, Flighted ball on middle, Kohli works it to square leg. |
| 18.5 : M Nabi to V Kohli, This is fuller on off, it is pushed down to long on for one. |
| 18.6 : M Nabi to V Shankar, On the stumps and this is pushed back to the bowler. India dealing in singles at the moment. |
| Spin King! Rashid Khan finally comes on to bowl. Will we see a new Rashid Khan after being brutally smacked in his last game against England? |
| 19.1 : R Khan to V Kohli, FOUR! Not the start Rashid would have wanted, especially after his previous game. He serves a half volley outside off, Kohli caresses it through covers, no chance for the long off fielder too. Boundary to welcome Rashid into the attack. |
| 19.2 : R Khan to V Kohli, This is flatter and on middle, it is pushed down to long on for one. |
| Afghanistan have reviewed! An appeal for an LBW has been turned down. Shankar is the man in question. Looks a little high also, there could be an inside edge. Let's see... |
| 19.3 : R Khan to V Shankar, NOT OUT! A big inside edge there! Afghanistan lose their review. Rashid bowls the googly outside off, it spins back in. Shankar does not pick it. He looks to jam it out in the end. It seems to have taken an inside edge onto the pads. The Afghanistan players make a loud appeal but the umpire shakes his head. They review and replays show that there is a big inside edge. |
| 19.4 : R Khan to V Shankar, The leg spinner this time, Shankar plays it with the turn towards point for one. |
| 19.5 : R Khan to V Kohli, The googly and Kohli picks it, he works it to mid-wicket. |
| 19.6 : R Khan to V Kohli, Goes short and on middle, Kohli goes back and pulls it through square leg for one. So a decent comeback from Rashid after going for a boundary early on in the over. |
| 20.1 : M Nabi to V Kohli, A bit on the shorter side, around off and turning back in, Kohli moves back and works it past the mid-wicket fielder for a run. |
| 20.2 : M Nabi to V Shankar, Walks forward to the pitch of the delivery and eases it down to long on for a run. |
| 20.3 : M Nabi to V Kohli, Shortish and outside off, Kohli cuts but finds the point fielder. |
| 20.4 : M Nabi to V Kohli, This time Virat delays his square cut and plays it late to the left of short third man. A single is taken. |
| 20.5 : M Nabi to V Shankar, Nice batting from Shankar. Once again uses his feet to get down the track and pushes it down to long on for one. |
| 20.6 : M Nabi to V Kohli, Flatter and shorter outside off, Kohli stays back and punches it down to long on for one. 5 easy singles from the over. |
| 21.1 : R Khan to V Kohli, The leg spinner on off, Kohli goes back and keeps it out. |
| 21.2 : R Khan to V Kohli, Floats it up on off, Kohli pushes it to covers. |
| 21.3 : R Khan to V Kohli, A little too fuller this time, Kohli pushes it wide of long off and takes two. |
| 21.4 : R Khan to V Kohli, Fifty for Virat Kohli. Third consecutive fifty for him in this World Cup and 52nd fifty in ODIs. Once again the skipper leading from the front. He gets there by whipping this full ball down to long on and takes one. He would be eying his first ton in this World Cup. |
| 21.5 : R Khan to V Shankar, Another two! Once again Rashid is a little too full, Shankar works it wide of long on and the batters take an easy two. |
| 21.6 : R Khan to V Shankar, WIDE! Down the leg side, Shankar did look to flick but misses. Wided. |
| R Khan to V Shankar, A single to end Rashid's second. Shankar goes back and pushes it through covers for one. |
| Rahmat Shah to bowl his part-time leg spin. A false start first up for him and seeing that Kohli immediately puts his bat inside the crease at the non-striker's end. |
| 22.1 : R Shah to V Shankar, FOUR! Another leggie is welcomed into the attack with a boundary! Tossed up ball landing full outside off, Vijay gets on the front foot and drills his drive through extra cover. Nabi moves across to his left from long off, puts in a dive but fails to stop it cleanly. Ends up pushing it towards the rope. 100 up for India! |
| 22.2 : R Shah to V Shankar, Shankar has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 22.3 : R Shah to V Shankar, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. |
| 22.4 : R Shah to V Shankar, Strides forward to a full ball and drives it down to long on for a run. |
| 22.5 : R Shah to V Kohli, Loopy delivery, landing full on off, Kohli stylishly eases it down through mid on for another run. |
| 22.6 : R Shah to V Shankar, Fires in a fuller ball on middle, Shankar whips it across the line and the long on fielder moves across to his right to stop the racing ball. A single taken to close the over, 7 from it! |
| 23.1 : R Khan to V Shankar, This is on the pads, Shankar works it behind square on the leg side and takes two easily. Runs starting to come now for India. |
| 23.2 : R Khan to V Shankar, Flatter and outside off, left alone. |
| 23.3 : R Khan to V Shankar, On the shorter side, Shankar goes back and pushes it to covers. |
| 23.4 : R Khan to V Shankar, Pushes this one through covers and takes one. |
| 23.5 : R Khan to V Kohli, Flatter and on middle, this is hit down to long on for one. |
| 23.6 : R Khan to V Shankar, The googly which lands outside off and comes back in. Shankar looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 24.1 : R Shah to V Kohli, This is floated outside off, Kohli strokes it through covers for one. |
| 24.2 : R Shah to V Shankar, Another tossed up ball, Shankar drives it but finds the man at covers. |
| 24.3 : R Shah to V Shankar, FOUR! Lovely shot! Shankar does play that shot well. Shah floats it a little too full outside off, Shankar stays leg side of the ball and lofts it over covers for a boundary. Also, the 50-run stand is up and this one is a good one for India. It has come up in good pace. Needs to continue though. |
| 24.4 : R Shah to V Shankar, Another tossed up ball on middle, this is firmly driven back at the bowler who stops it. |
| 24.5 : R Shah to V Shankar, On the stumps, this is kept out. |
| 24.6 : R Shah to V Shankar, A single to end as Shankar works it through mid-wicket. |
| 25.1 : R Khan to V Shankar, Flatter and on off, Shankar pushes it down to long off for one. |
| 25.2 : R Khan to V Kohli, The leg spinner on off, Kohli guides it towards point and takes one. |
| 25.3 : R Khan to V Shankar, Shorter and outside off, Shankar goes back and cuts it but finds point. |
| 25.4 : R Khan to V Shankar, Well bowled! Lands this on off, Shankar defends it. |
| 25.5 : R Khan to V Shankar, Floats it up on off, Shankar creams it past the bowler and down to long off for one. |
| 25.6 : R Khan to V Kohli, FOUR! The last ball spoils the over! This is down the leg side and it is short, easy pickings for a batsman of Kohli's caliber. He whips it through backward square leg and the ball races to the fence. |
| Review time! This time by India as Shankar has been given out LBW. This could be a good review by him. |
| 26.1 : R Shah to V Shankar, OUT! Umpire's call and Vijay Shankar is out of here! He can't make use of the start he got. A good decision in the end by Aleem Dar. The idea to continue with Shah has paid off. He lands this around the leg stump and gets it to straighten. Shankar looks to sweep but misses to get hit on the pads. The umpire has his finger up immediately as soon as the bowler puts in the appeal. Shankar reviews after a chat with his skipper. Replays roll in and they show the ball to be |
| 0.0 : MS Dhoni walks out to replace Vijay Shankar. |
| 26.2 : R Shah to MS Dhoni, Floats it up on off, Dhoni guides it to point. |
| 26.3 : R Shah to MS Dhoni, Dhoni dances down the track and eases it down to long on for a run. MS is off the mark. |
| 26.4 : R Shah to V Kohli, Another single, this time by Kohli as he hits it down to long on. |
| 26.5 : R Shah to MS Dhoni, Flatter and on off, this one pitches and turns away. Dhoni goes back and defends it out. |
| 26.6 : R Shah to MS Dhoni, Dhoni comes down the track and gently pushes it to cover. Just the two runs and a wicket from the over. |
| 27.1 : R Khan to V Kohli, Floats it up on off, Kohli eases it down to long on for one. |
| 27.2 : R Khan to MS Dhoni, Gets away with one there does Rashid! He goes short and outside off, MS goes back and slaps it hard but finds cover. |
| 27.3 : R Khan to MS Dhoni, Tosses this one up on off, Dhoni drives it to covers. |
| 27.4 : R Khan to MS Dhoni, The googly but outside off, it is left alone. |
| 27.5 : R Khan to MS Dhoni, Another dot as Dhoni pushes it to covers. |
| 27.6 : R Khan to MS Dhoni, 5 dots in a row to end the over! Just the one from it. This is floated up on off, it is the googly, Dhoni looks to hit it against the spin but it goes off the inner half towards mid on. |
| Mohammad Nabi comes back on. |
| 28.1 : M Nabi to V Kohli, Flatter and on off, this is pushed down to long on for one. |
| 28.2 : M Nabi to MS Dhoni, Flatter and on off, Dhoni plays it late towards backward point. |
| 28.3 : M Nabi to MS Dhoni, Lands it on off, Dhoni works it with the turn to mid-wicket. |
| 28.4 : M Nabi to MS Dhoni, Flatter and on middle, Dhoni pushes it to long on and takes one. |
| 28.5 : M Nabi to V Kohli, Driven towards the mid on region. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 28.6 : M Nabi to MS Dhoni, On off, Dhoni defends it late. Afghanistan are slipping in some quick quiet overs here. |
| Rahmat Shah has change of ends. |
| 29.1 : R Shah to V Kohli, Two runs! Floats it up on off, Kohli hits it through covers and takes two. |
| 29.2 : R Shah to V Kohli, On middle, this is kept out. |
| 29.3 : R Shah to V Kohli, Another tossed up ball on off, Kohli drives it down towards long off for one. |
| 29.4 : R Shah to MS Dhoni, Flighted and on off, Dhoni hits it towards cover where the fielder dives to his right and makes a half-stop. He parries it towards the bowler and MS has to backtrack. |
| 29.5 : R Shah to MS Dhoni, Fuller and on middle, this is eased down to long on for one. |
| 29.6 : R Shah to V Kohli, Shorter and outside off, Kohli goes back and pushes it through covers for one. Another decent over, just the 5 from it. |
| 30.1 : M Nabi to V Kohli, Hangs on the back foot and forces a short ball to deep cover for a run. |
| 30.2 : M Nabi to MS Dhoni, Lunges to a full ball and quietly works it wide of mid-wicket. That fielder runs to his left towards mid on and the batsmen cross. |
| 30.3 : M Nabi to V Kohli, OUT! Virat Kohli is dismissed. Mohammad Nabi has hit the jackpot with this prized scalp. He delivers a short ball around off, too close to cut but the Indian skipper still goes for it. He flashes his bat hard but only to edge it down towards short third man. Rahmat Shah, stationed there, moves across a little to his left and then goes down low to take the catch safely. Disappointment writ large over Kohli's face as he returns to the pavilion. India in a bit of trouble no |
| Kedar Jadhav replaces his skipper in the middle. |
| 30.4 : M Nabi to K Jadhav, Loopy and full outside off, Kedar leans forward and defends. |
| 30.5 : M Nabi to K Jadhav, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 30.6 : M Nabi to K Jadhav, Knocks a full ball down through mid on for a run. A successful over for Nabi. Afghanistan would like to believe that they are on top at this stage. |
| 31.1 : R Shah to K Jadhav, Down the leg side, Jadhav looks to pull but misses. Wided. |
| R Shah to K Jadhav, BEATEN! That has turned square! Lands it on off and spins away sharply. Jadhav looks to defend but gets beaten. |
| 31.2 : R Shah to K Jadhav, Flatter and on middle, Jadhav works it towards square leg but for no run. |
| 31.3 : R Shah to K Jadhav, Floats it up outside off, this is eased through covers for one. |
| 31.4 : R Shah to MS Dhoni, On the stumps, it is defended. |
| 31.5 : R Shah to MS Dhoni, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 31.6 : R Shah to MS Dhoni, Gives it a lot of air again and lands it on off, Dhoni pushes it to cover. |
| 32.1 : M Nabi to K Jadhav, On off, Jadhav works it to mid-wicket. |
| 32.2 : M Nabi to K Jadhav, A couple now! Slightly short and outside off, Kedar hits it behind point and takes two. |
| 32.3 : M Nabi to K Jadhav, Jadhav uses his feet and gets to the pitch of the ball and then hits it down to long on for one. |
| 32.4 : M Nabi to MS Dhoni, Another single as Dhoni hits it down to long on. |
| 32.5 : M Nabi to K Jadhav, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 32.6 : M Nabi to K Jadhav, Jadhav dances down the track and works it through square leg for one. |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes on to bowl again. His figures so far, 6-0-18-1. Was exceptional with the new ball inside Powerplay 1 and has been brought here to keep things tight. |
| 33.1 : Ur Rahman to K Jadhav, Well fielded! Shorter and outside off, Jadhav cuts it towards point where the fielder makes a good stop diving to his right. |
| 33.2 : Ur Rahman to K Jadhav, On off, this is pushed through covers for one. |
| 33.3 : Ur Rahman to MS Dhoni, A little fuller and around off, this is hit through covers again for one. |
| 33.4 : Ur Rahman to K Jadhav, Jadhav works it with the angle towards backward square leg. |
| 33.5 : Ur Rahman to K Jadhav, Flatter and on off, Jadhav hits it back to the bowler. |
| 33.6 : Ur Rahman to K Jadhav, Down the leg side, this is worked through square leg for one. |
| 34.1 : M Nabi to K Jadhav, Slower on off, Jadhav works it towards the leg side and takes one. The fielder does hit the bull's eye at the non-striker's end but the batter is well in. |
| 34.2 : M Nabi to MS Dhoni, Dhoni uses his feet but does not get to the pitch of the ball, he pushes it towards mid-wicket, waits for it to beat that fielder and then takes a run. |
| 34.3 : M Nabi to K Jadhav, Another run as Jadhav works it through square leg for one. |
| 34.4 : M Nabi to MS Dhoni, Shorter and outside off, Dhoni slaps it hard through covers for one. 150 up for India. 15 overs to go after this. |
| 34.5 : M Nabi to K Jadhav, Another single as Jadhav slaps it through covers. |
| 34.6 : M Nabi to MS Dhoni, Flighted on off, Dhoni pushes it against the turn towards cover. Afghanistan continue keeping it tight here. |
| 35.1 : Ur Rahman to K Jadhav, On the pads, this is worked towards short fine leg. |
| 35.2 : Ur Rahman to K Jadhav, On the stumps again, Jadhav works it beside the pitch. |
| 35.3 : Ur Rahman to K Jadhav, On the stumps again, Jadhav lunges and defends it onto the ground. |
| 35.4 : Ur Rahman to K Jadhav, Very full on middle, this is jammed down to long on for one. |
| 35.5 : Ur Rahman to MS Dhoni, On the pads again, this is worked towards short fine leg. No runs again. |
| 35.6 : Ur Rahman to MS Dhoni, An appeal but not given! Afghanistan wanted to review it but they have exhausted their only review long back. Mujeeb bowls this down the leg side, Dhoni looks to flick. It goes off something to the keeper. Both, the bowler and the keeper appeal but nothing from the umpire. He has not given it as a wide though so there might be something, the umpire feels pad. Replays have not been shown yet. They now have been shown and it shows there was nothing and the sound was of |
| Drinks break. This is exceptional bowling by the Afghan spinners. They have not let the famed Indian batting off the hook and going has been extremely slow for the Men in Blue, especially after the fall of Virat Kohli. This doesn't look like a 300 pitch and the Asian giants would have gauged it by now. 14 overs left. Can they add another 100 runs or so to make it difficult for Afghanistan? Rashid Khan to bowl after the mini-break. He has five overs up his sleeves and won't be easy to target on t |
| 36.1 : R Khan to K Jadhav, Flatter and on off, Jadhav goes back and keeps it out. |
| 36.2 : R Khan to K Jadhav, Attacks the stumps again, Jadhav once again defends it onto the ground. |
| 36.3 : R Khan to K Jadhav, Uppish but well short! Fuller and on middle, Jadhav whips it in the air but it goes on the bounce to mid on. |
| 36.4 : R Khan to K Jadhav, The googly outside off, Jadhav lets it be. 4 dots in a row. |
| 36.5 : R Khan to K Jadhav, FOUR! India will hope that breaks the shackles! A welcome boundary for India. Jadhav premeditated this stroke. He goes down on one knee early, hits the slog sweep against the turn and bags a boundary at mid-wicket. One after 64 balls. |
| 36.6 : R Khan to K Jadhav, A dot to end! So just the boundary from the over. The googly and it is on the pads, Jadhav looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The bowler is appealing but he is the only one doing so. |
| Gulbadin Naib comes on now. His figures read 5-0-23-0 so far. |
| 37.1 : G Naib to MS Dhoni, FOUR! Hammered! Welcome back into the attack, Naib. A hit-me ball to begin with. Short and it is the slower one outside off, Dhoni waits for it and then clobbers it through covers for one. |
| 37.2 : G Naib to MS Dhoni, Goes short this time, Dhoni pulls it all along the ground and through square leg for one. |
| 37.3 : G Naib to K Jadhav, Another single as this short ball is pulled towards fine leg for one. |
| 37.4 : G Naib to MS Dhoni, Shortish again outside off, Dhoni cuts it hard but to the man at point. |
| 37.5 : G Naib to MS Dhoni, Shuffles right across does Dhoni and then works it calmly through mid-wicket for one. |
| 37.6 : G Naib to K Jadhav, A dot to end! Short and wide outside off, Jadhav looks to cut but misses. 7 from the over! |
| 38.1 : R Khan to MS Dhoni, Very full outside off, Dhoni hits it hard down to long off for one. |
| 38.2 : R Khan to K Jadhav, Jadhav once again looks to play the sweep shot but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 38.3 : R Khan to K Jadhav, Shorter and on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 38.4 : R Khan to MS Dhoni, Floats it outside off, Dhoni guides it towards point for another run. Once again there is a direct hit from the fielder at the non-striker's end but Dhoni is well in. |
| 38.5 : R Khan to K Jadhav, Floated up on off, Jadhav lunges and tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 38.6 : R Khan to K Jadhav, On off and it is kept out. Another over from a spinner which does not go for a lot. |
| 39.1 : G Naib to MS Dhoni, Fuller and on off, Dhoni pushes it through covers for one. |
| 39.2 : G Naib to K Jadhav, Short and on the body, Jadhav looks to pull but it goes off the glove fine down the leg side. The batters take two. Another direct hit from Afghanistan at the striker's end this time. No harm done though for India. |
| 39.3 : G Naib to K Jadhav, Length and outside off, Jadhav opens the face of the bat and guides it down to third man for one. |
| 39.4 : G Naib to MS Dhoni, FOUR! Poor, poor ball at that pace! It is halfway down the track, it just won't trouble Dhoni. He goes back and smashes it through backward square leg and it races to the fence. Second boundary conceded in this spell by Naib. |
| 39.5 : G Naib to MS Dhoni, Shorter and outside off, Dhoni slaps it through covers for one. |
| 39.6 : G Naib to K Jadhav, A short one to end! Jadhav ducks under it. 9 from the over. A much-needed big over. India will be looking for a lot more of such overs in the last 10. |
| Powerplay 3 starts! No more than 5 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the end of the innings. India would hope their finisher finishes off the innings in style. Whereas Afghanistan would look to get a couple of wickets more and restrict the Indian score to below 250. |
| 40.1 : R Khan to MS Dhoni, The googly on middle, turns back in. Dhoni looks to whip it but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 40.2 : R Khan to MS Dhoni, Floats it up on off, Dhoni pushes it to covers. |
| 40.3 : R Khan to MS Dhoni, A little too full, Dhoni hits it hard but to long off for one. |
| 40.4 : R Khan to K Jadhav, The leg spinner on off, this is guided to short third man. |
| 40.5 : R Khan to K Jadhav, Tosses it up on off, it is defended. |
| 40.6 : R Khan to K Jadhav, A full toss and Jadhav works it through mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep fumbles but only a run conceded. |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes on to bowl for the final time in this innings. He has 2 overs left in his spell and has conceded just a lone boundary so far. |
| 41.1 : Ur Rahman to K Jadhav, Wide! Starts his new spell with a delivery down the leg side, Jadhav fails to flick. |
| Ur Rahman to K Jadhav, Turning down the leg side, Kedar taps it down on the leg side but straight to square leg. |
| 41.2 : Ur Rahman to K Jadhav, Leans forward to a full ball and gently pushes it in the gap on the off side for one. |
| 41.3 : Ur Rahman to MS Dhoni, Quicker and on middle and leg, Dhoni fails to get it away and it goes off his pads to mid-wicket. |
| 41.4 : Ur Rahman to MS Dhoni, Loopy and full on off, Dhoni pushes it off his front foot to covers. |
| 41.5 : Ur Rahman to MS Dhoni, Skidding down the leg side, Dhoni tries working on the leg side but misses. It goes off his pads to the off side. |
| 41.6 : Ur Rahman to MS Dhoni, Presses forward and pushes it towards extra cover. A diving stop there to end a quiet over, only 2 from it. |
| Aftab Alam is back! |
| 42.1 : A Alam to K Jadhav, Good running! This is short and on the body, Jadhav works it through backward square leg. They take one, Dhoni wants a second and they complete it. |
| 42.2 : A Alam to K Jadhav, FOUR! Bad ball with fine leg up! Short and on the body, Jadhav helps it on its way, over that fielder and into the fence. 6 from the first two balls. |
| 42.3 : A Alam to K Jadhav, Howzzat? The answer to that question is not out! Jadhav uses his feet and Alam shortens the length. Jadhav looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads. 50-run stand up, this pair needs to get going now. |
| 42.4 : A Alam to K Jadhav, Walks down the track again and this is bowled very full, Jadhav works it through square leg for one. |
| 42.5 : A Alam to MS Dhoni, FOUR! One bounce and into the boundary! Full and outside off, this is right in the arc of Dhoni. He lofts it over the mid off fielder and bags a boundary. Second in the over. |
| 42.6 : A Alam to MS Dhoni, A dot to end but a very good over for India. Full and on middle, this is hit back to the bowler. |
| 43.1 : Ur Rahman to K Jadhav, On the pads, Jadhav works it towards short fine leg for one. |
| 43.2 : Ur Rahman to MS Dhoni, On middle, Dhoni pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 43.3 : Ur Rahman to MS Dhoni, Uses his feet but does not get to the pitch of it, Dhoni works it to mid-wicket. Just the single from the first three balls. |
| 43.4 : Ur Rahman to MS Dhoni, Just the single from the first 4 balls now! Very full and on off, Dhoni jams it back to the bowler. |
| 43.5 : Ur Rahman to MS Dhoni, Five balls, one run! On the stumps, it is pushed back to the bowler. |
| 43.6 : Ur Rahman to MS Dhoni, Flatter and on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one. Just two from Mujeeb's last. A very economical spell from him comes to an end. 10-0-26-1 is his figures. |
| Rashid khan comes on to bowl. his figures so far read 8-0-35-0. |
| 44.1 : R Khan to MS Dhoni, What happened there? Comical stuff! A run out opportunity goes abegging! No way that should have been missed! Dhoni dances down the track but Rashid bowls it shorter. Dhoni looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls on the leg side. Jadhav wants a run and sets off. Dhoni too takes a start but then bails out. Jadhav has to return from the point of no return. Rashid gets to the ball and gently throws it to the fielder running towards the stumps from |
| 44.2 : R Khan to MS Dhoni, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 44.3 : R Khan to MS Dhoni, OUT! STUMPED! Dhoni is out of here! Big, big wicket in the context of the game. Rashid Khan gets his first and it is an important one. Dhoni finally decides to take on a spinner, he comes down the track but does not get to the pitch of it. Still swings hard but it turns away. Misses the bat and Ikram makes no mistake behind. |
| Hardik Pandya Comes to bat. Indian team would want him to finish the innings with a flourish. |
| 44.4 : R Khan to H Pandya, On the stumps, this is kept out. |
| 44.5 : R Khan to H Pandya, The googly outside off, Pandya does not pick it. In the end, he gets some part of the bat to it. It rolls through mid-wicket for one. |
| 44.6 : R Khan to K Jadhav, Shorter and on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one. Just the two runs and a big wicket for Rashid in this over. |
| Aftab Alam comes on now. |
| 45.1 : A Alam to K Jadhav, A yorker outside off, Jadhav uses his feet and fails to jam it out. |
| 45.2 : A Alam to K Jadhav, FOUR! Too easy! Down the leg side, Jadhav says thank you very much and works it past short fine leg for a boundary. India would want a lot more here. |
| 45.3 : A Alam to K Jadhav, Another dot! A low full toss outside off, Jadhav looks to go over the off side but misses. |
| 45.4 : A Alam to K Jadhav, Another dot! Gold dust at this stage! A low full toss on the pads this time, Jadhav looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 45.5 : A Alam to K Jadhav, SIX! Just about carries! Brings up the 200 for India in style! On the fuller side and Jadhav takes a few steps down the track, makes it into a half volley and just extends his arms. It goes just over the long on fence. |
| 45.6 : A Alam to K Jadhav, A single to end! Full and on middle, this is worked down to long on for one. 11 runs from this one. |
| 46.1 : R Khan to K Jadhav, On off, Jadhav looks to flick but gets a soft leading edge towards the bowler. |
| 46.2 : R Khan to K Jadhav, Jadhav uses his feet again and tries to work it on the leg side, closes the face of the bat too early and another leading edge is induced which goes to the bowler. |
| 46.3 : R Khan to K Jadhav, Down the leg side and it has been wided. |
| Stumping appeal is referred upstairs. Not much excitement shown by Afghanistan though. |
| R Khan to K Jadhav, NOT OUT! Jadhav is in! But a lovely delivery by Rashid. This lands on off, Jadhav has no clue which way the ball is spinning. He looks to work it on the leg side thinking it is a googly but it goes the other way. Beats the outside edge and Ikram whips the bails off. An appeal and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays roll in and they show that Jadhav has his foot down in time. |
| 46.4 : R Khan to K Jadhav, Turn and bounce! The googly now outside off, this one takes off after pitching and and also spins back in. Jadhav looks to cut but is beaten by the extra bounce. |
| Kedar Jadhav is adjudged lbw and he has taken the DRS. That was a quick decision by the umpire. A googly wasn't read well by Kedar as tries flicking but misses. Is it turning down too much and missing leg? |
| 46.5 : R Khan to K Jadhav, NOT OUT! Excellent review! That is slipping down leg. The googly again on the pads, Jadhav fails to pick it again. He is late on the flick. The appeal goes up and the umpire raises the finger. Jadhav initially starts walking but then Pandya calls him back and asks him to review. Time for the replays and they show that the ball is going past the leg pole. Jadhav survives to fight another day. |
| 46.6 : R Khan to K Jadhav, On the stumps, Jadhav lunges and keeps it out. Just the single from Rashid's last. He almost had a wicket too. tremendous comeback from him in this game. He has gone for only 38 in his 10 and got the big wicket of Dhoni. |
| Gulbadin Naib comes on to bowl. |
| 47.1 : G Naib to H Pandya, Fullish and on middle, driven straight back and it hit the stumps at the other end. |
| 47.2 : G Naib to H Pandya, Play and a miss! On a length and outside off, staying low, Pandya swings and misses. |
| 47.3 : G Naib to H Pandya, A couple now! Full and on off, Pandya hits it hard down to long off, it is a little away from that fielder so two taken. |
| 47.4 : G Naib to H Pandya, Shorter in length and it is the slower one, Pandya pulls it hard but straight to the man at deep square leg. Only one. Pandya would be disappointed, he could have hit that anywhere. |
| 47.5 : G Naib to K Jadhav, Again a couple! Another slower one and the length is good. Jadhav is early in the shot. It rolls through mid-wicket and the batters take two. |
| 47.6 : G Naib to K Jadhav, Another couple! Jadhav dances down the track, stays leg side of the ball and lofts it over cover for two. Just the 7 from the over which is excellent at this stage. |
| Aftab Alam comes on to bowl. |
| 48.1 : A Alam to H Pandya, Shorter and on off, Pandya hits it hard down to long on for one. Just the single, Afghanistan won't mind the singles. |
| 48.2 : A Alam to K Jadhav, A yorker, not a lot you can do with that. Jadhav jams it out towards long on. Nabi there fumbles but it is only a single. |
| 48.3 : A Alam to H Pandya, Brilliant, brilliant fielding! This is full and on the pads, Pandya works it through backward square leg. Rashid in the deep runs to his right, slides, the ball has almost gone past him but he sticks his hand out, the ball sticks and he saves two for his side. |
| 48.4 : A Alam to H Pandya, OUT! Another wicket for Afghanistan! The short slower one on middle, Pandya looks to upper cut it but has no pace to work with. It takes a feather and goes into the gloves of the keeper. Afghanistan have a realistic chance of restricting India under 230 now. |
| Mohammed Shami is the new man in. |
| 48.5 : A Alam to M Shami, Bangs this one short, Shami pulls it through square leg for one. |
| 48.6 : A Alam to K Jadhav, On the fuller side, Jadhav takes a few steps ahead and works it through mid-wicket. Keeps strike for the start of the last over. An amazing over by Alam though, just the 6 from it and a wicket. |
| Gulbadin Naib to bowl the last over of the Indian innings. |
| 49.1 : G Naib to K Jadhav, Rashid has hurt himself! He has saved two for his side with a tremendous effort but these are not good signs for Khan. Jadhav comes down track and he gets a full toss. He smashes it wide of long on. Rashid runs there and then dives with his right hand stretched out. The ball lands just in front of him and he manages to stop it. The physio is out though to have a loot at Rashid and the leggie now walks off the field. The batsmen take two and Jadhav brings his fifty up. |
| 49.2 : G Naib to K Jadhav, Shuffles right across and sweeps it over square leg and on the bounce to the fielder in the deep for one. |
| 49.3 : G Naib to M Shami, OUT! BOWLED 'EM! You miss, I hit! Slower one and on the stumps, Shami is way too early in the swing, he misses and the leg stump is disturbed. Three runs and a wicket from the first half of the last over. |
| Kuldeep Yadav comes out to bat. |
| 49.4 : G Naib to K Yadav, Slower one again, Kuldeep does the right thing as he jams it towards mid-wicket for one. Does the right thing by giving the strike to Jadhav. |
| 49.5 : G Naib to K Jadhav, OUT! Second wicket in the over for Naib! Once again an Indian batter falls to a slower one. This is bowled very slow. Jadhav dances down the track and looks to go over covers but does not get the desired elevation. Noor Ali Zadran, the substitute, takes it in the second attempt. |
| Jasprit Bumrah comes out next to bat. |
| 49.6 : G Naib to J Bumrah, A single to end! Full and on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one. just the single to end the last over and another top class one this for Afghanistan. Two wickets and 5 runs from it. INDIA END WITH 224 FOR 8! |
| Outstanding bowling show by Afghanistan. They have restricted one of the strongest batting units of this tournament under 225. What a comeback from them! They were taken to the cleaners by England the other day and have bounced back in a grand fashion. Really a lion-hearted effort from them. |
| The pitch is on the slower side and the Indian batsmen failed to come to terms with it. They did manage a few partnerships but surfaces like these demand a set batsman to continue and make a big score. That didn't happen and India are left with a total that Afghanistan will feel is achievable. |
| When Virat Kohli won the toss, he said that it's looking like a great strip for batting. But soon we found out that it's a bit sluggish and timing the shots won't be easy. The Indian skipper though still batted with a lot of control and class and scored 67 at a strike rate in excess of 100. It was his wicket that hurt India the most as after that the middle order really struggled to score runs. MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav did put together a stand but they failed to kick-on at the death. |
| All the Afghan bowlers were brilliant, barring Aftab Alam, who started well but failed to maintain the same intensity. Mujeeb was the real star as he bowled exceptionally in Powerplay 1 to create all the pressure and also bagged the prized wicket of Rohit Sharma cheaply. Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib also did a decent job in the middle overs while Rashid Khan, after receiving a pasting against England, proved his mettle and removed Dhoni at a critical stage of the innings. Overall, a great tea |
| Mohammad Nabi gives a quick interview. Starts by saying the wicket is slow and the bowlers bowled well and the fielding also was excellent. States they looked to bowl more dot balls and hoped the batters will make a mistake. Ends by saying they will try their best and hopes their batsmen can chase this down. |
| Yesterday, Sri Lanka did the unimaginable. Today, Afghanistan have a real chance to do the same. But they will have to bat exceedingly well. In a similar kind of a chase against Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament, they failed to overhaul a total of less than 200. India possess one of the best bowling attacks in this tournament and one can expect them to defend this total. Should be an exciting chase. Do join us in a short while. |
| 0.0 : We are back for the chase. The Afghan Openers Gulbadin Naib and Hazrat Zazai are out in the middle in pursuit of 225. The Indian team have also taken their positions. Mohammed Shami to start the proceedings for India with the first new ball. |
| 0.1 : M Shami to H Zazai, A loose stroke first up! Shortish and just outside off, Zazai goes after it but gets beaten. Not sure if that shot is needed so early on. |
| 0.2 : M Shami to H Zazai, Back of a length and on middle, this is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 0.3 : M Shami to H Zazai, On a good length and around middle, Zazai looks to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 0.4 : M Shami to H Zazai, Once again in the corridor of uncertainty! Zazai again hangs his bat out and gets beaten. |
| 0.5 : M Shami to H Zazai, Almost! On the stumps, the ball sticks in the surface. Zazai pushes hard at it. It goes uppishly but just wide of the bowler. |
| 0.6 : M Shami to H Zazai, Afghanistan are underway! Shorter and outside off, Zazai hits it down to third man and takes one. Just the single from the first over. |
| Jasprit Bumrah to bowl from the other end with the second new ball. |
| 1.1 : J Bumrah to H Zazai, Starts off on a length and around off, Zazai hits it to cover. |
| 1.2 : J Bumrah to H Zazai, FOUR BYES! That is a very difficult take for Dhoni! Bumrah lands this outside off on a length, this one jags back in sharply. Cuts Zazai into half. It bounces just before Dhoni who dives to his right to take it, he also gets some uneven bounce and it goes over him for a boundary. |
| 1.3 : J Bumrah to H Zazai, Good length and on off, it is kept out. |
| 1.4 : J Bumrah to H Zazai, The yorker on middle, Zazai at the very end gets his bat down and jams it out towards fine leg for one. |
| 1.5 : J Bumrah to G Naib, Back of a length and angling into the batter, Naib stands tall and defends it onto the ground. |
| 1.6 : J Bumrah to G Naib, Another back of a length ball on off, Naib keeps it out. So Bumrah too bowls a good first over. |
| 2.1 : M Shami to H Zazai, Swing and a miss! Length and outside off, Zazai looks to go downtown but misses. |
| 2.2 : M Shami to H Zazai, Lovely stuff! Bends his back on this one and lands it on off, the ball takes off. Zazai once again hangs his bat out but luckily for him, it whizzes past the outside edge. Dhoni takes it and then falls over. That must have hit his gloves really hard. |
| 2.3 : M Shami to H Zazai, Slightly shorter and around off, Zazai looks to cut but ends up chopping it to covers. |
| India review as an appeal for an LBW has been turned down. Is there an inside edge? Maybe the pitching is an issue. Well, by the first replay, it seems out. Nothing on Ultra Edge. Hawk Eye though shows, it is pitching outside leg. |
| 2.4 : M Shami to H Zazai, NOT OUT! That has pitched outside leg! India lose their only review very early. Kohli is not happy with the decision as he feels, quite some part of the ball did pitch inside leg. The delivery straightens after pitching. Zazai looks to play at it but misses. It hits the pad. An appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Kohli, Dhoni and Shami have a chat and then India review. Replays roll in and they show that the on-field call is the right one. |
| 2.5 : M Shami to H Zazai, Good length on off, it is kept out. 5 dots in a row. A maiden? |
| 2.6 : M Shami to H Zazai, Yes, it is! Shami cramps the batsman for room by bowling it on the body, it is pushed to mid on. |
| 3.1 : J Bumrah to G Naib, Good length and around off, Naib pushes it wide of mid off for one. |
| 3.2 : J Bumrah to H Zazai, Another swing and a miss! Bumrah lands this outside off, Zazai looks to drag it on the leg side but misses. |
| 3.3 : J Bumrah to H Zazai, EDGY FOUR! Afghanistan won't mind though. Good length and around off, angling away. Zazai looks to defend but the ball flies off the outside edge, past the diving Kohli at second slip and races to the third man fence. First boundary of the bat. |
| 3.4 : J Bumrah to H Zazai, BEATEN AGAIN! Length and outside off, Zazai once again hangs his bat out but gets beaten. |
| 3.5 : J Bumrah to H Zazai, On the fuller side, HZ pushes it through covers. They take on, Naib wants a second but Zazai is not interested. |
| 3.6 : J Bumrah to G Naib, Squares him up there! Back of a length on off, this one pitches and straightens. Naib looks to defend it off the back foot but the ball whizzes past the outside edge. |
| 4.1 : M Shami to H Zazai, Angles it into the batsman, Zazai works it with the angle towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 4.2 : M Shami to G Naib, On the fuller side, Naib pushes it to mid off. |
| 4.3 : M Shami to G Naib, A good short one outside off, Naib picks the wrong shot. He looks to drag his pull on the leg side, gets beaten. |
| 4.4 : M Shami to G Naib, On the stumps again, this is pushed back to mid off. |
| 4.5 : M Shami to G Naib, A little too straight, the batter looks to flick but the ball hits the pads and rolls towards backward square leg. Two leg byes taken. |
| 4.6 : M Shami to G Naib, On the fuller side around off, Naib strokes it past the bowler where mid off runs across and keeps it down to one. |
| 5.1 : J Bumrah to G Naib, Shorter in length and around off, the ball skids through. Naib is hurried into the pull and ends up mistiming it to mid on. |
| 5.2 : J Bumrah to G Naib, Goes for a yorker but ends up bowling a low full toss on middle, Naib hits it to mid on. |
| 5.3 : J Bumrah to G Naib, Back of a length on middle, this is worked through square leg, past the fielder there for two. |
| 5.4 : J Bumrah to G Naib, Good length again on off, Naib pushes hard at it but it goes off the inner half towards square leg. |
| 5.5 : J Bumrah to G Naib, Just out of the reach of the bowler! Bumrah goes short and on middle, Naib is not sure whether to duck or to play the ball. Till then, the ball hits the bat and lobs to the right of Bumrah. He dives but can't get to it. |
| 5.6 : J Bumrah to G Naib, Just past the off pole! Gulbadin is getting frustrated here. He is picking the wrong bowler to go after though. Full and just outside off, Naib swings but misses. |
| 6.1 : M Shami to H Zazai, Another wild swing! This time by Zazai. Length and around off, Zazai looks to heave it on the leg side but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 6.2 : M Shami to H Zazai, Nicely played! Zazai works this with the angle through mid-wicket. He calls for two early on and takes it. |
| 6.3 : M Shami to H Zazai, OUT! KABOOM! Shami gets his man! Just poor, very poor shot selection, that has been the case throughout for the Afghanistan openers, they have been lucky so far but this time, Zazai's luck runs out. Shami goes slightly fuller and around middle, Zazai once again looks to heave it across the line but the ball does not bounce as much as he expected it to and the stumps are shattered. India get an early breakthrough. Another failure for Zazai. 206 needed in 261. |
| Rahmat Shah walks out to bat at number 3. |
| 6.4 : M Shami to R Shah, A good ball to welcome the new batter! Shorter and around off, this one takes off. Rahmat Shah does really well to sway away from it. |
| 6.5 : M Shami to R Shah, Well bowled again and well played again! Back of a length this time and once again there is extra bounce. Rahmat lets it go to the keeper. |
| 6.6 : M Shami to R Shah, Good length and around middle, Shah looks to defend but the ball goes off the inner half through backward square leg for one. He is off the mark! End of a successful over for India. |
| 7.1 : J Bumrah to R Shah, Good length delivery on off, Rahmat sticks on the back foot and defends it on the off side. |
| 7.2 : J Bumrah to R Shah, Angles in a fullish ball on off, Shah drives it straight back and Bumrah does well to make a half stop in his followthrough. |
| 7.3 : J Bumrah to R Shah, Bouncer this time, Rahmat picks it early and sits underneath easily. Good effort delivery by Bumrah. |
| 7.4 : J Bumrah to R Shah, Back of a length delivery outside off, Rahmat stays on the back foot and quietly runs it down to third man for a run. |
| 7.5 : J Bumrah to G Naib, Nicely timed! Full in length and on middle, angling in, Naib flicks it through mid-wicket and collects three runs as the mid on fielder cuts it off in the deep. |
| 7.6 : J Bumrah to R Shah, That's a nasty delivery. Well-directed short ball, Rahmat tries to duck but the ball doesn't bounce much and hits the batsman on the back of the helmet. It rolls down to fine leg and they cross for a leg bye. |
| Physio comes out. Rahmat Shah is catching some breath. He didn't get hurt there but it could have been nasty. Thanks to his helmet. Meanwhile, here comes the first bowling change from Virat Kohli. It's Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl his leggies. The surface is certainly a good one for the spinners and India will be hoping high from Chahal. |
| 8.1 : Y Chahal to R Shah, This is tossed up on middle, Rahmat uses his feet and then works it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 8.2 : Y Chahal to G Naib, Flatter and on middle, this is worked wide of mid on for one. |
| 8.3 : Y Chahal to R Shah, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single. |
| 8.4 : Y Chahal to G Naib, Flatter and on middle, this is worked to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 8.5 : Y Chahal to G Naib, Shorter and slower on off, Naib goes back and slaps it to covers. |
| 8.6 : Y Chahal to G Naib, A flatter delivery on middle, the batsman goes back and keeps it out. A tight start by Chahal. |
| Double bowling change from Virat Kohli. Hardik Pandya replaces Jasprit Bumrah. |
| 9.1 : H Pandya to R Shah, Back of a length on middle, this is kept out. |
| 9.2 : H Pandya to R Shah, Good length and around off, Rahmat Shah guides it down to third man and gets off strike. |
| 9.3 : H Pandya to G Naib, A short ball and it is well-directed. Naib ducks under it. |
| 9.4 : H Pandya to G Naib, In the air... but safe! Slower one on middle, Naib is a touch early into the shot. It goes uppishly but well short of mid on. |
| 9.5 : H Pandya to G Naib, FIVE WIDES! Bangs this one way too short. It goes well over the batsman's head and then over the keeper's glove for a boundary. Bonus runs for Afghanistan. |
| H Pandya to G Naib, Pandya angles this into the batsman who flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 9.6 : H Pandya to G Naib, Two to end Powerplay 1! This is on the pads, Naib works it fine. The fielder from backward square leg runs to his right and saves two for his side. A decent Powerplay for Afghanistan. They are 37 for 1 after 10. |
| Powerplay 2 starts! No more than 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till 40th over. |
| 10.1 : Y Chahal to R Shah, Flatter and on off, this is kept out. |
| 10.2 : Y Chahal to R Shah, On the stumps again and it is pushed to cover. |
| 10.3 : Y Chahal to R Shah, FOUR! Good attempt in the field but it goes in vain. Short and around middle, Shah is quickly onto his back foot. He pulls it over mid-wicket. Kuldeep from long on runs to his right, dives and pushes the ball back in. The umpires go upstairs to check if it is clean and replays show that he was in contact with the ball and the ropes at the same time. |
| 10.4 : Y Chahal to R Shah, Clever batting! Follows the boundary with a single down to long on. |
| 10.5 : Y Chahal to G Naib, Flatter and on middle, defended. |
| 10.6 : Y Chahal to G Naib, On the stumps again, the batter once again blocks it out. |
| 11.1 : H Pandya to R Shah, OHHH! Good length and around off, Shah hangs his bat out. The ball goes off the inside edge down towards fine leg for one. |
| 11.2 : H Pandya to G Naib, Good running! This is worked through backward square leg. They take the first one hard due to which the fielder fumbles and the batters take another. |
| 11.3 : H Pandya to G Naib, FOUR! Up and over! Slightly shorter and on middle, Naib stands tall and lifts it over mid-wicket for a boundary. Pandya is leaking runs here. |
| 11.4 : H Pandya to G Naib, FOUR! Clobbered! 50 up for Afghanistan and it has been brought up in style. He goes short again, Naib goes back and hammers it over the mid-wicket fielder for a boundary. Consecutive boundaries. India and Pandya under pressure. |
| 11.5 : H Pandya to G Naib, Back of a length on off, Naib sensibly plays it down onto the ground. |
| 11.6 : H Pandya to G Naib, A little too straight again, Naib works it through square leg for one. Expensive over from Pandya, he conceeds 12 runs in it. Another expensive one could see him out of the attack. |
| 12.1 : Y Chahal to G Naib, A full toss, this is eased down to long on for one. |
| 12.2 : Y Chahal to R Shah, Floats it up on off, this is kept out. |
| 12.3 : Y Chahal to R Shah, Well stopped! Shorter and outside off, Shah goes back and tries to cut but it goes off the outside edge quickly towards first slip. Rohit dives and saves a boundary. |
| 12.4 : Y Chahal to R Shah, The slider on middle, this is pushed back to the bowler. |
| 12.5 : Y Chahal to R Shah, Rahmat uses his feet and cracks it towards cover. Kohli takes it and then fires it at the keeper's end but hits the batsman. Straightaway apologieses. |
| 12.6 : Y Chahal to R Shah, Rahmat uses his feet again and works it towards mid-wicket. A good over by Chahal. |
| Kuldeep Yadav is brought on to bowl. Kohli would want his Chinaman to take quick wickets. |
| 13.1 : K Yadav to G Naib, Starts off with the googly first up. Naib goes back and keeps it out. |
| 13.2 : K Yadav to G Naib, Goes short and on middle, Naib pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 13.3 : K Yadav to R Shah, Floats it up on off, it is kept out. |
| 13.4 : K Yadav to R Shah, Very full on off, Rahmat jams it out to the bowler. |
| 13.5 : K Yadav to R Shah, Flatter and shorter outside off, Shah cuts it to point. |
| 13.6 : K Yadav to R Shah, Another dot! Just the single from Kuldeep's first. On middle, this is pushed back to the bowler. |
| 14.1 : Y Chahal to G Naib, Floats it up on off, this is pushed back to the bowler. |
| 14.2 : Y Chahal to G Naib, CLOSE! On the shorter side and outside off, there is extra bounce. Naib looks to cut but is beaten. |
| 14.3 : Y Chahal to G Naib, Bowls it wider outside off, Nabi slaps it through coves and takes one. |
| 14.4 : Y Chahal to R Shah, On the stumps, this is kept out. |
| 14.5 : Y Chahal to R Shah, Outside off again around off, Shah cuts it to the mat at point. |
| 14.6 : Y Chahal to R Shah, A full toss and Shah misses out! He swings but it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket. Once again just the single from the over, only 3 runs have come from the last 3 overs. 168 needed in 210. |
| 15.1 : K Yadav to G Naib, Very full outside off, this is jammed past mid off for one. |
| 0.0 : Stumping appeal! MS Dhoni is lightning quick behind the wickets, as usual. He appeals and the square leg umpire refers it upstairs. Rahmat Shah is the batsman in question. Is he safe? |
| 15.2 : K Yadav to R Shah, SAFE! Shah never lifted his foot! The googly from Kuldeep on off, it pitches and turns away. Rahmat looks to defend but is beaten. Dhoni whips the bails off in a flash. The umpire takes it upstairs and replays show that Rahmat is fine. |
| 15.3 : K Yadav to R Shah, Very full this is eased down to long off for one. |
| 15.4 : K Yadav to G Naib, Flighted ball on off, Naib pushes it uppishly but lands in the vacant mid off area for one. |
| 15.5 : K Yadav to R Shah, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single. |
| 15.6 : K Yadav to G Naib, How has that missed the stumps? WOW! That lands around middle and then spins away. Rahmat lunges forward to defend. The ball goes past the outside edge and just about kisses the off pole. |
| Drinks break. So far, so good for Afghanistan. They started nervously but the current partnership has settled things down. India are under pressure at the moment. They have pinned all their hopes on their spinners, who have bowled tidily but have failed to provide any breakthrough. 164 needed more off 204 balls. It is all about holding nerves for the Asian minnow. They should know that if they bat out 50 overs, this is their game in all likelihood. |
| Hardik Pandya is back on. He was poor in his first spell. Needs to do well now. |
| 16.1 : H Pandya to R Shah, Good length and around off, this is pushed to mid off. |
| 16.2 : H Pandya to R Shah, Outside off, Shah guides it down to third man and takes one. |
| 16.3 : H Pandya to G Naib, Back of a length again outside off, Naib guides it down to third man this time and gets to the other end. |
| 16.4 : H Pandya to R Shah, On the shorter side outside, too easy for the batter as he slaps it through covers for one. |
| 16.5 : H Pandya to G Naib, OUT! In the air... taken! Excellent bowling change by Kohli. Not many, trust me, after looking at his first spell, not many would have wanted Pandya to bowl at the moment. He though silences his critics by providing the breakthrough India needed. The short ball does the trick for him. It is outside off, Naib looks to pull but only manages a top edge which goes high up in the air towards square leg. Shankar from the deep runs in and takes a good catch. End of a budding |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi walks out next to bat. |
| 16.6 : H Pandya to R Shah, Two to end the over! 5 from the over but a wicket from it. Back of a length on off, Shah guides it past point and takes two. |
| 17.1 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Floats it up on middle, Shahidi keeps it out. |
| 17.2 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Floats it up on off, Shahidi keeps it out. |
| 17.3 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Floats it up on off, Shahidi strokes it to cover. |
| 17.4 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Gives it even more air and lands it on off, this is pushed back to the bowler. |
| 17.5 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Another dot as Shahidi strokes this to covers. |
| 17.6 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Bowls the quicker one but it is a touch shorter, HS goes back and pulls it through square leg for one. Just the single from the over. |
| 18.1 : H Pandya to H Shahidi, Goes very full on off, Shahidi strokes it to covers. |
| 18.2 : H Pandya to H Shahidi, Length and outside off, it is left alone. |
| 18.3 : H Pandya to H Shahidi, Just short! Good stop in the end! Slower one on off, Shahidi pushes hard at it, it goes uppishly but just short of Kohli at covers. |
| 18.4 : H Pandya to H Shahidi, Back of a length on off, Shahidi guides it to point. |
| 18.5 : H Pandya to H Shahidi, Another dot as Shahidi guides this one also to point. |
| 18.6 : H Pandya to H Shahidi, OUCH! That must have hurt! The rib-tickler from Pandya. Shahidi hops and looks to flick but misses to get hit on the ribs. He does hold it for a bit but seems fine now. A maiden for Pandya. |
| 19.1 : K Yadav to R Shah, The leg spinner on middle, Shah looks to defend but it goes off the inner half through square leg for one. |
| 19.2 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, A low full toss on middle, this is eased down to long on for one. |
| 19.3 : K Yadav to R Shah, Well fielded! Short and around off, Shah looks to cut but can't find the gap in the cover-point region. |
| 19.4 : K Yadav to R Shah, Very full and on off, this is hit down to long off for one. |
| 19.5 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, A nice loopy ball on leg stump. Shahidi looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads and then it hits the helmet. Falls safely though. |
| 19.6 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Brings the sweep shot out and hits it through square leg for one. |
| 20.1 : H Pandya to H Shahidi, A sharp bouncer! Shahidi sways out of the way. |
| 20.2 : H Pandya to H Shahidi, Loose stroke! Wide outside off, Shahidi hangs his bat out and the ball whizzes past the outside edge. |
| 20.3 : H Pandya to H Shahidi, Back of a length on off, this is guided down to third man for one. |
| 20.4 : H Pandya to R Shah, Another good short one outside off, Shah looks to pull but once again is beaten by pace. |
| 20.5 : H Pandya to R Shah, Back of a length on middle, this is defended out. |
| 20.6 : H Pandya to R Shah, FOUR! Much-needed boundary! Releases some pressure. Shah comes down the track and also makes room. He crashes it through covers for a boundary. 5 from the over. Runs needed now below 150. |
| 21.1 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Floated and full on middle, Shahidi is on the front foot in defense. |
| 21.2 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, FOUR! Poor delivery and duly punished! A rank long hop on middle, Shahidi goes deep inside the crease and hammers his pull shot to the deep mid-wicket fence. |
| 21.3 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Smart batting. Just drives a full ball to long off and rotates the strike after bagging a boundary. |
| 21.4 : K Yadav to R Shah, Turning into the batsman from around off, on the shorter side, Rahmat has enough time to go back and punch it past the bowler to long on for one. |
| 21.5 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Loopy and full outside off, Hashmatullah drives it square of the wicket on the off side and jogs across to the other end. |
| 21.6 : K Yadav to R Shah, Attempts a wrong 'un but the line is outside leg, Rahmat stays back and defends it to mid-wicket. |
| Yuzvendra Chahal comes on. He has a slip in place. |
| 22.1 : Y Chahal to H Shahidi, Flighted and full on off, Shahidi presses forward in defense. |
| 22.2 : Y Chahal to H Shahidi, A leg spinner landing full on off, once again Shahidi blocks it off his front foot. |
| 22.3 : Y Chahal to H Shahidi, Identical to the last delivery, this time Shahidi drives it back to the bowler. |
| 22.4 : Y Chahal to H Shahidi, Uppish but safe! Extra flight by Chahal, he lands it full and wide outside off, Hashmatullah drives it in the air but safely through wide mid off for one. |
| First slip moves out to short extra cover. |
| 22.5 : Y Chahal to R Shah, Flatter and on off, defended from the crease to covers. |
| 22.6 : Y Chahal to R Shah, Slows this one up in the air and bowls it full on off, Shah uses his feet and then defends it on the off side. Just one from the over, but they don't need to do anything fancy at the moment. 141 needed off 162 balls. |
| 23.1 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Full and on the pads, this is worked towards mid-wicket for one. |
| 23.2 : K Yadav to R Shah, On the stumps, this is defended. |
| 23.3 : K Yadav to R Shah, That has been cracked! Short and around off, Shah goes back and smashes it but straight to cover-point. |
| 23.4 : K Yadav to R Shah, On the pads, this is worked through square leg for one. |
| 23.5 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Flighted on off, Shahidi strokes it to covers. |
| 23.6 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Another single as this is hit to long off. |
| 24.1 : Y Chahal to H Shahidi, On the shorter side and outside off, Shahidi cuts it towards point. |
| 24.2 : Y Chahal to H Shahidi, FOUR! Finds the gap this time! Slightly shorter again and just outside off, Shahidi goes back and plays late, gets it past point and bags a welcome boundary. |
| 24.3 : Y Chahal to H Shahidi, Very full, this is jammed out to the man at cover. |
| Dual appeal there? First the bowler turned to appeal for an lbw and then Dhoni breaks the stumps to appeal for a stumping. India don't have the review to refer the lbw shout but the square leg umpire is going up to check for the stumping appeal. |
| 24.4 : Y Chahal to H Shahidi, NOT OUT! Shahidi is well in! The leg spinner outside off, this one turns back in. Shahidi looks to defend but the ball hits the pads and lobs towards Dhoni. He takes it and whips the bails off. He appeals for a stumping whereas, Chahal appeals for an LBW. The latter's appeal has been turned down. The former's appeal has been taken upstairs. Replays roll in and they show Shahidi safe. |
| 24.5 : Y Chahal to H Shahidi, Flatter and on middle, this is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 24.6 : Y Chahal to H Shahidi, On the stumps, this is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 25.1 : K Yadav to R Shah, Flighted ball on middle, this is eased down to long on for one. |
| 25.2 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Flighted ball on off, once again it is a little too full. Shahidi strokes it down to long off for one. |
| 25.3 : K Yadav to R Shah, Almost! Flatter and around off, this one turns back in. Shah picks it late, he initially was looking to cut but in the end chops it to the keeper. |
| 25.4 : K Yadav to R Shah, FOUR! Picks his spot brilliantly! Too short by Kuldeep. Enough time for Shah to go back and pull it in between long on and mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 25.5 : K Yadav to R Shah, On the stumps, it is hit back to the bowler. |
| 25.6 : K Yadav to R Shah, Floats it up outside off, it ends up being a full toss. The batsman hits it down to long off for one. This pair is doing it with ease at the moment. |
| Jasprit Bumrah comes on. His figures so far 4-0-13-0. India are in a desperate need of a breakthrough here. Virat has turned to his trump card. Can he deliver? |
| 26.1 : J Bumrah to R Shah, On the fuller side, it is hit to mid off. |
| 26.2 : J Bumrah to R Shah, Outside off, Shah opens the face of the bat, it goes off the outside edge and down towards third man which is quite fine for one. Shah wants the second run but is sent back. The throw is fired towards the bowler's end where Kohli deflects it onto the stumps but the batter is well in. |
| 26.3 : J Bumrah to H Shahidi, Another length ball outside off, this is guided past point for one. 100 up for Afghanistan. 125 more needed. |
| 26.4 : J Bumrah to R Shah, Outside edge but short! Slower one and outside off, there is some extra bounce there. Shah looks to guide it down to third man but gets an outside edge which does not carry to Dhoni. |
| 26.5 : J Bumrah to R Shah, Misfield! This is guided towards point where the fielder fails to stop it cleanly and concedes two extra run. |
| 26.6 : J Bumrah to R Shah, Goes short and on the body, Shah looks to pull but it goes off the gloves fine on the leg side. Yadav runs to his right, dives and saves three for his side. His effort was checked but replays show he has done well. 6 from the over, a good one for Afghanistan. |
| 27.1 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Gets away with one there does Kuldeep. Short and outside off, Shahidi cuts it to point. |
| 27.2 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, In the air... but safe and the batters take two! Shahidi plays the sweep but gets a top edge which lands in the square leg region. The batsmen take one, they see Shankar taking his own time to get to the ball, they go for the second and complete it. |
| 27.3 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, BEATEN! Tosses it up around off, HS looks to defend but the ball spins away and beats the outside edge. |
| 27.4 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Full and on middle, this is pushed back to the bowler. |
| 27.5 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Slower through the air again and outside off, Shahidi throws his bat at it and gets beaten. |
| 27.6 : K Yadav to H Shahidi, Another dot! Shorter and outside off, the batter looks to cut but ends up chopping it on the off side. |
| 28.1 : J Bumrah to R Shah, Appeal for an lbw! Nothing from umpire Aleem Dar. Virat Kohli is furious. Bumrah darts in a length ball on off and gets it to nip back in at 142 kph. Shah is caught on the back foot trying to block but is beaten in pace. He is rapped on the pads, they appeal but to no avail. It's clipping leg, the replays confirm. |
| 28.2 : J Bumrah to R Shah, Good length and on off, this is defended. |
| 28.3 : J Bumrah to R Shah, Full in length and outside off, Shah hits it square of the wicket and Pandya makes a good stop. |
| 28.4 : J Bumrah to R Shah, OUT! Superb catch by Yuzvendra Chahal! India get a lifeline here. The 42-run stand is broken and the crowd has also come back to life. Bowling short more often than not works against the Asian batsmen. Bumrah digs it in at 144 kph, nicely directed, Shah takes on the challenge to pull but fails to middle his shot. It flies off the top edge behind square leg and Chahal rushes forward and across from the deep to take a fine low catch. 119 needed more! |
| Asghar Afghan is the next man in. Afghanistan would want that their ex-captain takes them to their first victory in this tournament. |
| 28.5 : J Bumrah to H Shahidi, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 28.6 : J Bumrah to H Shahidi, OUT! Caught and bowled! Bumrah has turned things around and is sending jitters to the Afghan dressing room. He switches to 'round the wicket for the left-hander and delivers a back of a length ball around off. Shahidi is stuck inside the crease and plays his shot early. The face of the bat is closed when the ball arrives and it lobs back off the leading edge. Bumrah runs forward to complete the catch and throws the ball up in celebration. India have roared back into |
| Mohammad Nabi comes in to bat. The experience and aggression of Nabi would be the key here. And we have a change in bowling too. Hardik Pandya to bowl now. |
| 29.1 : H Pandya to A Afghan, Shorter and around off, this is slapped through covers for one. |
| 0.0 : Pandya pulls out right at the end. He may have missed his run-up. |
| 29.2 : H Pandya to M Nabi, On the fuller side, it is driven to covers. |
| 29.3 : H Pandya to M Nabi, Well bowled! India have their tail up at the moment. A yorker on middle, Nabi jams it out. |
| 29.4 : H Pandya to M Nabi, Another dot! Full and on off again, Nabi strokes it to covers. |
| 29.5 : H Pandya to M Nabi, Outside off but just inside the tramline. Left alone. |
| 29.6 : H Pandya to M Nabi, Good short one on off, Nabi just about evades it. Just a single from the over, a very good one, Pandya bowled with a lot of fire there. Only 1 from it, a great follow-up over by Hardik. |
| 30.1 : J Bumrah to A Afghan, Excellent fielding! First an excellent catch and now this fielding effort from Chahal. This is on the pads, Afghan works it fine on the leg side, Chahal runs to his right, dives and pushes it back in. Two taken. |
| 30.2 : J Bumrah to A Afghan, Back of a length on off, Afghan stands tall and defends it onto the ground. |
| 30.3 : J Bumrah to A Afghan, Shorter and outside off, Afghan looks to cut but ends up chopping it to point. |
| 30.4 : J Bumrah to A Afghan, Quick, that is really quick! Short and it skids through, it is bowled at 141 KPH. Afghan tries to move out of the way but the ball hits his bat and rolls back to the bowler. |
| 30.5 : J Bumrah to A Afghan, Lovely bowling! Follows the bouncer with a yorker but Afghan was up to the task as he jams it out. Run rate needed now above 6. |
| 30.6 : J Bumrah to A Afghan, A single to end another fine over from Bumrah. It is short and on middle, Afghan pulls it through square leg for one. 115 more needed in 114. |
| Drinks break. The match has completely turned on its head after the double-wicket maiden by Jasprit Bumrah. He removed both the set batsmen in a space of three balls and has brought India back into this match. 115 needed off 114 balls is still gettable but now it's all about handling the pressure. The Indian bowlers are experienced in doing so while Afghanistan haven't encountered such situations much at a big stage like this. Their most experienced batting pair is in the middle and they need to |
| 31.1 : H Pandya to A Afghan, Goes short but down the leg side, wided. |
| H Pandya to A Afghan, Slower one and fuller in length, Afghan looks to drive it on the off side but it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket. |
| 31.2 : H Pandya to A Afghan, Good length on off, Asghar defends it onto the ground. |
| 31.3 : H Pandya to A Afghan, On the shorter side and outside off, Afghan hits it through covers for one. |
| 31.4 : H Pandya to M Nabi, Goes short, Nabi pulls it nicely, rolls his wrists over the ball and hits it through backward square leg for two. |
| 31.5 : H Pandya to M Nabi, It lands in no man's land! Nabi looks to go big. He tries to hit this ball outside off over cover. He ends up slicing it over point. Rahul from point runs back, Shankar from sweeper cover runs in, both don't call for it and in the end it lands between the two. The batsmen also run two. |
| 31.6 : H Pandya to M Nabi, On the off pole, this is kept out. |
| Yuzvendra Chahal comes on to bowl. He took a smart catch can he do it with the ball in hand. |
| 32.1 : Y Chahal to A Afghan, Quicker and fuller on off, defended back off the front foot. |
| 32.2 : Y Chahal to A Afghan, Strides forward and helps it on the leg side to mid-wicket. |
| 32.3 : Y Chahal to A Afghan, Flighted and full, dropping on middle, Afghan goes down to slog sweep but it takes the inner half and rolls through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 32.4 : Y Chahal to M Nabi, A leg spinner landing on leg, Nabi nudges it to short fine leg and looks for a run. He is sent back. |
| 32.5 : Y Chahal to M Nabi, Tossed up ball on off, pushed off the front foot to extra cover. |
| 32.6 : Y Chahal to M Nabi, FOUR! What a shot! Chahal slows this up in the air but lands it a touch short outside off, Nabi rocks back and cuts it through the line. Once it beats the diving point fielder, it's always going to the fence. |
| 33.1 : H Pandya to A Afghan, On the fuller side, this is worked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 33.2 : H Pandya to M Nabi, Length and around off, Nabi plays it with an angled face of the bat but it goes down off the outside edge towards third man for one. |
| 33.3 : H Pandya to A Afghan, Slower one on off, Afghan pushes it to covers. |
| 33.4 : H Pandya to A Afghan, On the stumps, this is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 33.5 : H Pandya to A Afghan, Another slower one, Afghan works it towards square leg and takes a single. |
| 33.6 : H Pandya to M Nabi, Another slower one and this is eased down to long on for one. 100 needed now in 96. |
| 34.1 : Y Chahal to M Nabi, FOUR! Great start to the over! Pressure on the bowler. Less than a 100 needed now. Nabi brings out the sweep shot, hits it nicely and past the diving short fine leg fielder for a boundary. |
| 34.2 : Y Chahal to M Nabi, Very full on middle, Nabi jams it out to mid-wicket. |
| 34.3 : Y Chahal to M Nabi, Slower through the air on off, Nabi guides it towards backward point. |
| 34.4 : Y Chahal to M Nabi, Flatter and on off, this is pushed down to long off for one. |
| 34.5 : Y Chahal to A Afghan, BEATEN! This is flatter and around off, pitches and turns away. Afghan plays inside the line and gets beaten. |
| 34.6 : Y Chahal to A Afghan, OUT! TIMBER! Chahal has got the breakthrough. Once again, just when Afghanistan seemed like they were moving ahead, India strike back. Yuzvendra tosses it up on off, it is the leg spinner. Afghan looks to hit it against the turn over the leg side. He misses and the ball kisses the off pole. Half the side back in the hut for Afghanistan. 95 needed in 90 balls. |
| Najibullah Zadran walks out to bat. He has the reputation of playing big shots. Averages 30 in the ODIs and has a strike rate of 90.6. Today is the time to bring all that into use. Meanwhile, there is a bowling change also as Kuldeep Yadav comes on to bowl again. |
| 35.1 : K Yadav to M Nabi, Clever batting! Plays the paddle sweep fine on the leg side for a brace. |
| 35.2 : K Yadav to M Nabi, Works this ball which is on the pads through square leg for one. |
| 35.3 : K Yadav to N Zadran, Straightaway goes for the reverse sweep. Hits it well through point. The batters take two. The throw from the deep was a good one but Zadran was well in. |
| 35.4 : K Yadav to N Zadran, Floats it up on off, Zadran pushes it to cover. |
| 35.5 : K Yadav to N Zadran, Plays the sweep shot through square leg and takes one. |
| 35.6 : K Yadav to M Nabi, Floats it up on off, Nabi strokes it to long off and takes one. |
| Mohammed Shami is back on, replacing Yuzvendra Chahal. He was exceptional in his first spell. 4-1-6-1 for his so far. |
| 36.1 : M Shami to M Nabi, Good length around off, Nabi looks to guide it down to third man but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 36.2 : M Shami to M Nabi, Outside off, Nabi carves it through point but only for a run. |
| 36.3 : M Shami to N Zadran, A good short one, on the body of the batter. Zadran ducks under it. |
| 36.4 : M Shami to N Zadran, Another short one and on the body, Zadran once again ducks under it. |
| 36.5 : M Shami to N Zadran, Very good running! Goes short and on the body, Zadran nudges it towards backward square leg. They take one, Zadran calls for the second. They go for it and complete it. |
| 36.6 : M Shami to N Zadran, A dot to end so just three from the over! On off, NZ pushes it to mid off. |
| 37.1 : K Yadav to M Nabi, Floats it on middle, this is hit to cover. |
| 37.2 : K Yadav to M Nabi, This is eased down to long on for one. |
| 37.3 : K Yadav to N Zadran, On the stumps, this is blocked. |
| 37.4 : K Yadav to N Zadran, Looks to play the reverse sweep but it goes off the inner half onto the pads and towards short third man. |
| 37.5 : K Yadav to N Zadran, A single now as Zadran plays an orthodox stroke, down to long off for one. |
| 37.6 : K Yadav to M Nabi, Another single as this is worked through square leg for one. Runs between runs needed and balls to be bowled is 10. 82 needed in 72. |
| 38.1 : M Shami to M Nabi, Good length ball on off, it's pushed off the back foot to point. |
| 38.2 : M Shami to M Nabi, A bit short and on middle and leg, Nabi moves back and turns it in front of square leg for a run. |
| 38.3 : M Shami to N Zadran, Shami goes short and lands it wide outside off, Zadran taps it down straight to point and Nabi is out of the crease in search of a run. The fielder has an immediate shy at the bowlers end but misses. |
| 38.4 : M Shami to N Zadran, FOUR! Up and over the infield! Minimum risk with mid off up in the circle. A length delivery around off, Najibullah strides forward and lofts it over the in-ring fielder for a boundary. |
| 38.5 : M Shami to N Zadran, Shami responds with a bouncer. Nicely directed and Zadran ducks at the last moment. Wide called for height! |
| M Shami to N Zadran, Back of a length delivery on middle and leg, Najibullah lifts his front leg and eases it in front of square leg for a single. 150 up for Afghanistan! |
| 38.6 : M Shami to M Nabi, On a length and outside off, Nabi gets forward and strokes it down to long on for a run. Not a bad over for Afghanistan, 8 from it, 74 more needed off 66 balls. |
| Hardik Pandya comes for his final spell. He has 2 overs left. |
| 39.1 : H Pandya to M Nabi, Good length on off, this is guided to mid-wicket. |
| 39.2 : H Pandya to M Nabi, A quick run! On the fuller side, Nabi pushes it to mid off and gets to the other end. |
| 39.3 : H Pandya to N Zadran, Bangs it short, Zadran ducks under it. |
| 39.4 : H Pandya to N Zadran, Uppish but just wide! Length and around off, Zadran drives it on the up, it goes uppishly through extra cover for two. |
| 39.5 : H Pandya to N Zadran, Outside off again, this is pushed wide of the fielder at deep cover and another two is taken. |
| 39.6 : H Pandya to N Zadran, A single to end! 6 from the over! 68 needed in 60. Short and wide outside off, Zadran slaps it to sweeper cover for one. |
| Powerplay 3 time! No more than 5 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the innings end. The equation for an Afghan win is 68 needed in 60 deliveries. India need 5 wickets to remain unbeaten in this tournament. Game on! |
| 40.1 : M Shami to N Zadran, FOUR! Brilliant start to Powerplay 3 for Afghanistan! A little too straight by Shami, Zadran goes back and works it through mid-wicket. No chance for the deep square leg fielder. Shami under pressure, needs to bowl the next 5 balls nicely. |
| 40.2 : M Shami to N Zadran, Goes short and on the body, Zadran ducks under it. It has been signaled wide though. |
| M Shami to N Zadran, Another wide! This is down the leg side, Zadran looks to flick but misses. The bowler appeals but the umpire shakes his head. A harsh call as replays show that had clipped the thigh pad. |
| M Shami to N Zadran, Back of a length on off, this is pushed to mid off. |
| 40.3 : M Shami to N Zadran, On the shorter side, Zadran with one leg up in the air, pulls it through square leg for one. |
| 40.4 : M Shami to M Nabi, Outside off, this is guided through cover-point for one. |
| 40.5 : M Shami to N Zadran, On the bounce! The slower one on middle, Zadran looks to flick but was into the shot way too early. It goes off the leading edge and falls just short of Chahal at mid-wicket. |
| 40.6 : M Shami to N Zadran, Two dots to end but a very good over for Afghanistan! 8 from it! Back of a length on off, it is kept out. 60 to win in 54. |
| 41.1 : H Pandya to M Nabi, Slower one outside off, Nabi looks to jam it out but misses. |
| 41.2 : H Pandya to M Nabi, Uppish again but just wide! Nabi chips this ball on middle, wide of mid-wicket and down to long on for one. |
| 41.3 : H Pandya to N Zadran, OUT! Soft, soft dismissal! Hardik Pandya strikes in his last over. Gets his second and another important wicket. He bowls the off cutter on middle, Zadran looks to flick but the ball sticks in the surface and comes slow. Najibullah ends up chipping it straight to the fielder at mid-wicket where Chahal makes no mistake. A decent innings from Zadran but he needed to continue. India though will be relieved to see the back of him as this partnership was starting to worry |
| Rashid Khan is the next man in. He also is no mug with the bat and can cause issues to India. We have seen his strike power but Afghanistan will want him to bat sensibly here, just partner Nabi. |
| 41.4 : H Pandya to R Khan, Goes short and on middle, Khan ducks under it. |
| 41.5 : H Pandya to R Khan, On the stumps, this is pushed back past the bowler and down to mid on for one. Khan is off the mark. |
| 41.6 : H Pandya to M Nabi, Two to end! Nicely played! This is back of a length ball on off, Nabi rises high and then guides it fine on the off side. Two taken. A successful 10th over by Pandya. Decent day with the ball for him. His figures read, 10-1-51-2. |
| Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl his final spell. He has 2 overs left. His figures read so far 8-0-25-1. |
| 42.1 : Y Chahal to R Khan, Slightly shorter and outside off, Rashid slashes at it but finds point. |
| 42.2 : Y Chahal to R Khan, Flatter and on off, this is pushed to cover. |
| 42.3 : Y Chahal to R Khan, Nicely played! Just outside off, Rashid goes back and manages to cut it through point for two. |
| 42.4 : Y Chahal to R Khan, Down the leg side, RK sweeps towards deep square leg for one. |
| 42.5 : Y Chahal to M Nabi, Another dot! The slider again on off, Nabi pushes it to the left of the bowler. |
| 42.6 : Y Chahal to M Nabi, Just the three from the over! 53 needed in 42 now. Chahal ends the over with another slider. This is pushed back to the bowler. |
| Jasprit Bumrah is back. His figures so far read 7-1-22-2. Can he finish the game for India? |
| 43.1 : J Bumrah to R Khan, Angles this one into the off stump, skids through. Rashid keeps it out. |
| 43.2 : J Bumrah to R Khan, Another dot! Back of a length on off, this is guided to point. |
| 43.3 : J Bumrah to R Khan, Goes for the yorker but misses, ends up bowling a full ball on the pads, this is flicked through square leg for one. |
| 43.4 : J Bumrah to M Nabi, Outside off, this is hit down to long on for one. |
| 43.5 : J Bumrah to R Khan, Khan makes room, Bumrah bangs it short. Rashid manages to slap it wide of sweeper cover and two is taken. |
| 43.6 : J Bumrah to R Khan, Direct hit and Nabi was a goner! Rashid makes room again and Bumrah bangs it short. This is pulled towards mid-wicket. Nabi sets off for a run but is sent back. Chahal has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Just the 4 from the over. Run rate needed above 8. |
| Mohammed Shami comes back on. His figures so far are 7-1-25-1. |
| 44.1 : M Shami to M Nabi, FOUR! Lovely shot! Once again, a boundary of Shami's first ball of the over. Puts all the pressure on the bowler. Nabi uses his feet and coverts it into a half volley. Nabi hits it over mid off and bags a boundary. |
| 44.2 : M Shami to M Nabi, Seam-up delivery now, this is hit down to long off for one. |
| 44.3 : M Shami to R Khan, On the shorter side, Rashid flat-bats it down to long on for one. |
| 44.4 : M Shami to M Nabi, A dot! Important one! Short and on the body, Nabi looks to pull but misses. |
| 44.5 : M Shami to M Nabi, A big shout for LBW but not given! Nabi looks to whip it over the short fine leg fielder but misses to get hit on the pads. There is an appeal but it is too high. The ball rolls towards square leg. A leg bye taken. |
| 44.6 : M Shami to R Khan, Good recovery in the end by Jadhav! Rashid has slapped this firmly towards sweeper cover. Jadhav there first runs in for a catch but then realizes it is going to fall short. Stays back and tries to stop but then ball turns away, beats Jadhav who turns back and then dives and pushes it back in. Saves two in the end. 9 from this over. Top over for Afghanistan. 40 needed in 30. |
| Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl his final one. Can he get a couple of wickets and get India closer to the win? |
| 45.1 : Y Chahal to M Nabi, Sliding down the leg side, Nabi helps it through square leg for a run. |
| 45.2 : Y Chahal to R Khan, Play and a miss! Short and wide outside off, Rashid tries to cut but it stays low and goes under his bat. |
| 45.3 : Y Chahal to R Khan, FOUR! Innovation at its best! That's a brilliant strike. Yes, it's risky but it has paid off. Full and around off, Rashid brings out the reverse-batted shot and nails his shot over point. |
| 45.4 : Y Chahal to R Khan, OUT! Stumped! Beauty of a delivery. One leggie to another leggie and it's a beautiful sight, if you are an Indian fan. Nicely tossed up ball by Chahal. He serves it full and outside off, Rashid is drawn forward as tries to drive but it spins away to beat the outside edge. He has dragged his back leg outside the crease in a process as well and Dhoni needs no second invitation. 35 needed off 26 balls, this is getting close! |
| Ikram Ali Khil is the new man in. |
| 45.5 : Y Chahal to Ali Khil, Too full in length on middle, Ikram sweeps it behind square leg and scampers back for the second run. |
| 45.6 : Y Chahal to Ali Khil, Slower through the air, full and on leg, Ikram once again sweeps, this time more in front of square leg and gets a single. 32 needed in the last 4 overs. |
| Jasprit Bumrah has change of ends. |
| 46.1 : J Bumrah to Ali Khil, Heavy ball. Bumrah spears in a full ball on off from 'round the wicket, Ikram just digs it out back to the bowler. |
| 46.2 : J Bumrah to Ali Khil, Direct hit would have been curtains for Nabi! Back of a length delivery on off, Ikram dabs it down to the right of backward point and tries to steal a run. Hardik Pandya rushes across to the ball, picks it up and has a shy at the striker's end. Misses and Nabi gets a life. |
| 46.3 : J Bumrah to M Nabi, SIX! What a hit! Bumrah bangs this short and on middle, Nabi stays back and pulls it over the square leg fence for a biggie. 200 up for Afghanistan! |
| 46.4 : J Bumrah to M Nabi, Good comeback! Bowls a yorker outside off, Nabi falls to jam it out. |
| 46.5 : J Bumrah to M Nabi, Another excellent yorker, Nabi jams it out to the bowler. Two excellent deliveries after being hit for a biggie. |
| 46.6 : J Bumrah to M Nabi, A single which means Nabi keeps strike! 24 needed in 18. Full and outside off, this is jammed through point for one. |
| Mohammed Shami comes on to bowl. He has 2 overs left. |
| Massive moment in this match! Mohammad Nabi has been adjudged lbw! The impact appears to be outside the line. He has taken the DRS. Phew, let's wait and watch what the Ball Tracker tells us. IMPACT IS THE ISSUE! Nabi survives. |
| 47.1 : M Shami to M Nabi, NOT OUT! Nabi survives! The impact is outside off! What a review taken by him. Afghanistan can now breathe a huge sigh of relief. They are still in it. Nabi shuffles across and looks to flick it on the leg side. He misses. The ball hits the pads and an appeal follows. The umpire raises the finger. Nabi has to review and he does so. Replays roll in and they show the impact is outside off. |
| 47.2 : M Shami to M Nabi, Very full and on middle, this is jammed through mid-wicket for one. |
| 47.3 : M Shami to Ali Khil, Short and outside off, Ali Khil looks to pull but misses. A dot, which is gold dust at this stage. |
| 47.4 : M Shami to Ali Khil, Another dot! This time it is the slower one, it takes off after pitching. Ikram is hit on the gloves as he tries to defend. The ball rolls beside the pitch. No run taken. 23 needed in 14. |
| 47.5 : M Shami to Ali Khil, Another dot! Goes short and on the body, Ikram ducks under it. 23 needed in 13 now. |
| 47.6 : M Shami to Ali Khil, Two from the final ball which means 21 from 12 needed! Just the three from the over. He goes short and Ikram makes room. Ikram pulls it over mid-wicket. Chahal gives it a chase and keeps it down to two. |
| 48.1 : J Bumrah to M Nabi, Tremendous, tremendous stuff! A yorker, nothing you can do with that. It is jammed out towards point. |
| 48.2 : J Bumrah to M Nabi, A couple now! A low full toss now by Bumrah. Nabi does not hit it that well but gets it wide of long off for two. |
| Seems like Nabi has broken his bat on the last shot. He asks for a new bat. |
| 48.3 : J Bumrah to M Nabi, Top class stuff! Bowls another yorker on middle, all Nabi can do is jam it down to long on for one. Also, Ikram comes on strike. |
| 48.4 : J Bumrah to Ali Khil, Another dot! Which means 18 needed in 8. A low full toss, Ikram hits it straight to short mid-wicket. Ikram needs to hit it big here, he needs to strike one. |
| 48.5 : J Bumrah to Ali Khil, Just the single again! Full and outside off, Ikram jams it through covers for one. One ball to go, what will Nabi do? Go for a biggie or take one? |
| 48.6 : J Bumrah to M Nabi, He takes one! Don't think he could have done a lot though with that delivery. It is a yorker on middle, Nabi jams it out to square leg for one. Just the 5 from the over, once again Bumrah is the man who delivers for India. 16 needed in 6. |
| 16 needed off 6 balls. Mohammed Shami to bowl it. Nabi will be on strike. Can Afghanistan pull it off? |
| 49.1 : M Shami to M Nabi, FOUR! Once again a boundary to begin Shami's over! Ideal start for Afghanistan. Shami misses the yorker by a little and ends up bowling a low full toss. Nabi powers it past long on for a boundary. Also, fifty up for Nabi. His 14th ODI fifty. Can he win Afghanistan this game? |
| 49.2 : M Shami to M Nabi, DOT BALL! Very full and on middle, Nabi winds up for a big shot but heaves it off the inner half to deep mid-wicket. Turns down the single. He wants to do it on his own. |
| 49.3 : M Shami to M Nabi, OUT! There goes Nabi and there goes all the hopes of Afghanistan chasing this down. The Indian supporters and the Indian players can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Shami goes very full, Nabi looks to go over the long on fence. He though does not get under it and hence, the power is not there. It goes to Pandya who takes a good catch moving to his left. A top knock by Nabi but his effort will probably go in vain. 12 needed in 3 balls. |
| Aftab Alam is the new man in. |
| 49.4 : M Shami to A Alam, OUT! TIMBER! Two in two for Shami. What a comeback from him after going for a boundary on the first ball. He is delighted. He punches his fist in joy. He attacks the stumps, Alam swings but misses. The furniture behind is disturbed. |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the new man in. He will face the hat-trick ball from Mohammed Shami. |
| 49.5 : M Shami to Ur Rahman, OUT! KABOOM! Shami takes a hat-trick! Only the second Indian to take a hat-trick in the World Cup. What a comeback into the team for him! He was given the responsibility of the last over and has come out with flying colors. He keeps it simple, goes full and straight at 142 kph, right at the base of the leg stump. Mujeeb swings but misses and the ball kisses the leg pole. All smiles in the Indian camp as they WIN BY 11 RUNS! |
| What an end to this thriller! Well done Afghanistan for making India work hard for their 50th World Cup win! They gave a real scare to the Men in Blue and won hearts of everyone with their lion-hearted effort. The Afghans will be disappointed on missing out on a golden opportunity to upset one of the title favourites. But chin up, you have done everyone proud. |
| Yet another cliffhanger! Sri Lanka punched above their weight last evening to upset England and now Afghanistan nearly got the better of India. World Cup is surely warming up with some really close contests now. This match was played on a sluggish surface where India struggled to get going with the bat. They managed just 224 in their 50 overs and offered a real chance to Afghanistan. The Afghans started nervously but the second and third wicket partnerships kept them on the track and India on th |
| With Afghanistan slowly inching closer to the target, Virat Kohli turned to his trump card, Jasprit Bumrah. The speedster didn't disappoint his skipper and removed the set batsmen, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi, in a space of three balls. The 29th over completely changed the landscape of this match and India bounced back on top. They slipped in some tidy overs to swell the required run rate and in spite of Mohammad Nabi trying his best by stitching a few partnerships, they fell short by 1 |
| It eventually came down to handling pressure. Afghanistan showed their inexperience there. They had India on the mat for some time but lacked the killer instinct to press the advantage home. A few reckless shots added to their woes and then to handle the class of Bumrah and Shami was always going to be too hot to handle, especially at the death. The Men in Blue showed good character under pressure and just hung in there. They won the decisive moments and this close win will give them more happin |
| Jasprit Bumrah is the Man of the Match for his outstanding bowling! He says to be the go-to bowler of his skipper gives him a lot of confidence to express himself and that helps him to keep a clear mind. States the wicket was getting slower so they needed to be accurate with the older balls. Mentions he was backing his yorkers, the slower ball could also be used but it had to be according to the situation. Stresses they wanted to create pressure and increase the required run rate and it worked f |
| Afghanistan skipper, Gulbadin Naib says they played really well. Mentions that they bowled well and did an amazing job in restricting the Indian batting line-up which is very strong. States Afghanistan did well with the bat too but credits Bumrah for the way he bowled. Informs that the wicket was good in the first half and the spinners were very good, especially Rashid, who made a strong comeback. Further adds that they bowled well at the end too. Stresses the total was not a big one but they ne |
| India skipper, Virat Kohli says this is one of his best victories. Mentions they have been playing very good cricket. Further adds that they felt 260 or 270 would have been an outstanding score but 250 would have been par. Admits at the halfway mark, they did have doubts in their mind but they had the self-belief. Informs as soon as he went in to bat, he knew it was a slow wicket and the cross-batted shots were not the option here. Mentions that they needed to work it around and get into the inn |
| That's all from this close game. Afghanistan made sure that they don't get steamrolled, in fact, they gave India a very good run for their money. The Men in Blue now jump to the number 3 position in the points table after this hard-fought win. You can now switch tabs to catch all the action from Match 29 of this World Cup. For Sunday, you can join us at 1030 local (0930 GMT) for the clash between Pakistan and South Africa at Lord's. Cheers! |
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