Introduction to India vs Afghanistan Cricket Encounters
India and Afghanistan have built a strong cricketing bond since Afghanistan started playing international cricket. Their matches have shown great competition and impressive performances showing how Afghan cricket has improved worldwide.
Historical Context of India-Afghanistan Matches
In their first World Cup match on October 11 2023 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi India won against Afghanistan by 8 wickets. Afghanistan batted first and scored 272 runs with Hashmatullah Shahidi making 80 runs and Azmatullah Omarzai contributing 62 runs. India reached the target in 35 overs thanks to Rohit Sharma’s excellent 131 runs.
Match Date Venue and Conditions
The game was held on October 11 2023 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The field was suitable for both batting and bowling and the weather was good for scoring runs.
Toss Outcome and Team Decisions
Afghanistan won the coin toss and chose to bat first trying to make a good score. This choice showed their plan to take advantage of the good batting conditions early in the game.
India’s Batting Performance
Rohit Sharma led India’s batting with a strong 131 runs from 84 balls making 16 fours and 5 sixes. Ishan Kishan added 47 runs and Virat Kohli finished with 55 runs not out helping India win in 35 overs.
Afghanistan’s Bowling Analysis
Rashid Khan was Afghanistan’s top bowler taking 2 wickets for 57 runs in 8 overs. However Afghanistan’s bowlers could not stop India’s strong batting resulting in a high-scoring match.
Mid-Innings Break: Expert Opinions
During the break experts pointed out India’s strong performance in the chase focusing on Sharma’s bold hitting and the team’s good run rate. They also talked about Afghanistan’s strong batting especially Shahidi and Omarzai’s efforts while stressing the need for better bowling plans in future games.
Afghanistan’s Batting Performance
Afghanistan played well with Rahmat Shah making 16 runs and Hashmatullah Shahidi scoring 80 runs. Azmatullah Omarzai got 62 runs but they lost wickets often finishing with 272 runs.
India’s Bowling Analysis
On October 11 2023 in their World Cup game against Afghanistan India used a solid bowling plan. Jasprit Bumrah did very well taking four wickets and keeping runs low. Spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja slowed Afghanistan’s scoring during the middle overs. Hardik Pandya got an important wicket by getting rid of Azmatullah Omarzai which helped India gain control of the match.
Key Turning Points in the Match
Key moments of the match were Rohit Sharma’s powerful century which set a strong pace for India’s chase. Bumrah’s early wickets shook Afghanistan’s batting order. Also the 121-run partnership between Afghanistan’s Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai gave their innings a brief boost but after they were out India took back control.
Player of the Match: Performance Review
Rohit Sharma’s great 131 runs off 84 balls made him the Player of the Match. His batting included 21 hits to the boundary and set a new record for the fastest World Cup century by an Indian with the milestone reached in just 63 balls. Sharma’s strong style broke down Afghanistan’s bowling, helping India win.
Complete Match Scorecard
Afghanistan Innings:
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Hashmatullah Shahidi: 80 runs off 88 balls
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Azmatullah Omarzai: 62 runs
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Rahmat Shah: 16 runs
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Rashid Khan: 4 runs
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Mohammad Nabi: 0 runs
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Najibullah Zadran: 0 runs
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Fazalhaq Farooqi: Did not bat
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Mujeeb Ur Rahman: Did not bat
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Mohammad Saleem: Did not bat
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Naveen-ul-Haq: Did not bat
Bowlers:
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Fazalhaq Farooqi: 7 overs 40 runs conceded 0 wickets
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Mujeeb Ur Rahman: 7 overs 50 runs conceded 0 wickets
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Rashid Khan: 8 overs 57 runs conceded 2 wickets
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Mohammad Nabi: 7 overs 60 runs conceded 0 wickets
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Naveen-ul-Haq: 6 overs 50 runs conceded 0 wickets
India Innings:
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Rohit Sharma: 131 runs off 84 balls
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Ishan Kishan: 47 runs
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Virat Kohli: 55* runs
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Shreyas Iyer: 25* runs
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KL Rahul: Did not bat
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Hardik Pandya: Did not bat
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Ravindra Jadeja: Did not bat
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Shardul Thakur: Did not bat
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Kuldeep Yadav: Did not bat
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Jasprit Bumrah: Did not bat
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Mohammed Siraj: Did not bat
Bowlers:
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Jasprit Bumrah: 7 overs 35 runs conceded 4 wickets
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Mohammed Siraj: 7 overs 45 runs conceded 0 wickets
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Ravindra Jadeja: 6 overs 30 runs conceded 0 wickets
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Kuldeep Yadav: 6 overs 28 runs conceded 1 wicket
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Hardik Pandya: 5 overs 25 runs conceded 1 wicket
Post-Match Reactions and Interviews
After the match Rohit Sharma was happy with India’s strong performance pointing out the team’s aggressive style and ability to adjust to the conditions. He thanked the bowlers for taking early wickets and praised the batting team’s teamwork. Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi recognized India’s strength and noted that his team needs to learn from this experience to get better in future games.
Statistical Highlights and Records
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Rohit Sharma’s 131 runs marked the fastest World Cup century by an Indian achieved in 63 balls.
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Sharma’s seven World Cup centuries surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record of six
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Jasprit Bumrah’s four-wicket haul was the best bowling performance of the match.
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India’s victory margin of 8 wickets with 90 balls remaining showcased their dominance.
Implications for Future Fixtures
India’s big win improved their net run rate strengthening their place in the World Cup rankings. This performance confirmed they are favorites in the tournament setting a tough standard for future games. Afghanistan even though they lost showed strength especially in their middle-order partnerships suggesting they can improve in upcoming matches.
India vs Afghanistan Cricket Matches: Frequently Asked Questions
1. When was the last match between India and Afghanistan’s senior cricket teams?
The most recent match between the senior teams was during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 where India defeated Afghanistan by 8 wickets.
2. Have India and Afghanistan played any bilateral cricket series?
Yes in January 2024 India hosted Afghanistan for a three-match T20I series which India won 2-0.
3. What are some notable performances in India vs Afghanistan matches?
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In the January 2024 series India’s Shivam Dube delivered standout performances contributing significantly with both bat and ball.
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During the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran scored a remarkable 177 runs against England earning the Player of the Match award.
4. Are there any upcoming matches scheduled between India and Afghanistan?
As of March 25 2025 there are no confirmed fixtures between the senior national teams. However both teams participate in various tournaments and their ‘A’ teams compete in developmental series.
5. How can I watch live matches between India and Afghanistan?
Live broadcasts are typically available on sports networks like Star Sports in India. Streaming services such as Jio Hotstar also provide live coverage. For ‘A’ team matches platforms like ESPNcricinfo offer live score updates and commentary.
6. Where can I find detailed statistics and records of India vs Afghanistan matches?
Comprehensive statistics including match scorecards and player performances are available on cricket databases like ESPNcricinfo.
7. Have India and Afghanistan played in major tournaments together?
Yes both teams have competed in tournaments like the ICC Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup providing exciting cricketing encounters.
8. How do I stay updated on future fixtures between India and Afghanistan?
For the latest updates on fixtures and results regularly check official cricket websites such as the International Cricket Council (ICC) and national cricket boards’ websites.