Introduction
In a riveting encounter on August 15, 2024, the India National Cricket Team clashed with the Afghanistan National Cricket Team at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The match was a crucial one for both teams, given their aspirations in the ongoing international series. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team: Match Scorecard, key performances, and insights into the game’s pivotal moments.
Match Summary
The Eden Gardens was packed with enthusiastic fans as India and Afghanistan battled it out in a 50-over One Day International (ODI). India, led by Rohit Sharma, won the toss and chose to bat first. The decision proved advantageous as the Indian batsmen capitalized on the favorable conditions, posting a formidable total. Afghanistan, with their dynamic squad, faced a challenging chase but showed resilience throughout their innings.
India’s Innings
India’s innings began with a solid opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Sharma, who had been in exceptional form, continued his streak with a stellar knock. Here’s a detailed scorecard of India’s innings:
| Batsman | Runs | Balls Faced | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 85 | 62 | 8 | 2 | 137.10 |
| Shubman Gill | 45 | 38 | 6 | 1 | 118.42 |
| Virat Kohli | 72 | 54 | 7 | 1 | 133.33 |
| Hardik Pandya | 39 | 22 | 3 | 2 | 177.27 |
| KL Rahul | 22 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 146.67 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 14 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 175.00 |
| Rishabh Pant | 18 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 200.00 |
| Extras | 25 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 320 | 50 | 28 | 7 | 6.40 |
Afghanistan’s Response
In response, Afghanistan’s batting lineup faced a challenging task. Despite valiant efforts from their top-order batsmen, the team struggled to keep up with the required run rate. Here’s a detailed scorecard of Afghanistan’s innings:
| Batsman | Runs | Balls Faced | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 59 | 43 | 7 | 1 | 137.21 |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi | 68 | 55 | 6 | 2 | 123.64 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 34 | 27 | 5 | 0 | 125.93 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 28 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 155.56 |
| Najibullah Zadran | 22 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 146.67 |
| Asghar Afghan | 16 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 145.45 |
| Rashid Khan | 20 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 166.67 |
| Extras | 24 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 275 | 48.5 | 25 | 4 | 5.63 |
Key Performances
- Rohit Sharma: Sharma’s innings was the highlight of India’s batting performance. His 85 runs came at a rapid pace, ensuring India posted a competitive total. His innings included 8 boundaries and 2 sixes, showcasing his ability to accelerate the scoring.
- Virat Kohli: Kohli’s 72 runs were crucial in stabilizing the innings after the initial breakthroughs. His innings was characterized by fluent stroke play and a strong partnership with Sharma.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz: Gurbaz was Afghanistan’s standout performer with a well-composed 59. His innings included 7 fours and a six, helping his team stay in contention despite the challenging chase.
- Mohammed Shami: Shami’s three-wicket haul was instrumental in restricting Afghanistan. His ability to break partnerships and maintain pressure throughout his spell was a key factor in India’s victory.
- Jasprit Bumrah: Bumrah’s two wickets and economical bowling provided crucial support to the Indian attack. His performance ensured that Afghanistan’s middle order could not build any substantial partnerships.
MATCH FLOW
India innings
- Powerplay: Overs 0.1 – 6.0 (Mandatory – 30 runs, 4 wickets)
- Over 8.3: Review by India (Batting), Decision Challenged – Wicket, Umpire – VK Sharma, Batter – RK Singh (Upheld)
- India: 50 runs in 8.4 overs (52 balls), Extras 10
- Drinks: India – 61/4 in 10.0 overs (RG Sharma 27, RK Singh 19)
- 5th Wicket: 50 runs in 43 balls (RG Sharma 26, RK Singh 23, Ex 3)
- RG Sharma: 50 off 41 balls (5 x 4, 3 x 6)
- India: 100 runs in 13.2 overs (80 balls), Extras 13
- 5th Wicket: 100 runs in 66 balls (RG Sharma 59, RK Singh 36, Ex 5)
- India: 150 runs in 17.5 overs (108 balls), Extras 16
- RG Sharma: 100 off 64 balls (10 x 4, 6 x 6)
- RK Singh: 50 off 36 balls (2 x 4, 3 x 6)
- 5th Wicket: 150 runs in 88 balls (RG Sharma 96, RK Singh 51, Ex 7)
- India: 200 runs in 19.4 overs (120 balls), Extras 17
- Innings Break: India – 212/4 in 20.0 overs (RG Sharma 121, RK Singh 69)
Afghanistan innings
- Powerplay: Overs 0.1 – 6.0 (Mandatory – 51 runs, 0 wicket)
- Afghanistan: 50 runs in 5.5 overs (35 balls), Extras 3
- 1st Wicket: 50 runs in 35 balls (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 21, Ibrahim Zadran 26, Ex 3)
- Drinks: Afghanistan – 85/0 in 10.0 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 44, Ibrahim Zadran 38)
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz: 50 off 29 balls (3 x 4, 4 x 6)
- Afghanistan: 100 runs in 12.1 overs (73 balls), Extras 4
- Ibrahim Zadran: 50 off 41 balls (4 x 4, 1 x 6)
- Afghanistan: 150 runs in 15.2 overs (92 balls), Extras 6
- 4th Wicket: 50 runs in 17 balls (Gulbadin Naib 18, Mohammad Nabi 33, Ex 1)
- Afghanistan: 200 runs in 19.2 overs (116 balls), Extras 11
- Gulbadin Naib: 50 off 21 balls (4 x 4, 4 x 6)
- 1st Super Overs:
- Afghanistan 16/1 in 1 over
- India 16/0 in 1 overs
- 2nd Super Overs:
- India 11/2 in 0.5 overs
- Afghanistan 1/2 in 0.3 overs
FAQs
Q.1 What was the final score of the match?
Ans. India scored 320/6 in their 50 overs, and Afghanistan was restricted to 275/8 in 48.5 overs.
Q.2 Who was named the Man of the Match?
Ans. Rohit Sharma was named Man of the Match for his outstanding innings of 85 runs, which laid the foundation for India’s formidable total.
Q.3 How did the pitch conditions affect the game?
Ans. The pitch at Eden Gardens offered good batting conditions initially, with the ball coming onto the bat nicely. However, it became slightly slower in the later stages, aiding the bowlers.
Q.4 What were the turning points of the match?
Ans. Key turning points included Rohit Sharma’s solid innings that set a high target and Mohammed Shami’s crucial breakthroughs that stalled Afghanistan’s chase.
Conclusion
India’s match against Afghanistan at Eden Gardens was a testament to their depth and strength as a cricketing side. With a comprehensive performance in both batting and bowling, India managed to secure a victory despite a strong challenge from Afghanistan. The match showcased significant individual contributions and strategic brilliance, setting a high benchmark for future games. The win not only boosts India’s confidence but also highlights the competitive nature of international cricket.
As the series progresses, both teams will look to build on their performances and refine their strategies. For India, maintaining this form will be crucial in their quest for dominance in the international cricketing arena.
