India vs Afghanistan, 43rd Match, Super Eights, Group 1 at Bridgetown, T20 World Cup, Jun 20 2024 - Ball by Ball Commentary

India showed today why they're favourites. Their top order didn't fire but the middle order got the job done. With the ball, they didn't give Afghanistan a sniff. But Rashid returning to form is a boost for Afghanistan who will play in a couple of days. Very short turnarounds this tournament, so keep following ESPNcricinfo to keep up with all the games, live content and analysis included. Thanks for joining today. I'm Ekanth, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator, Shashank Kishore, and our scorers, M Venkat Raghav and Ranjith P.

Rohit Sharma: The last two years we've played T20s here, so we understand the conditions and planned accordingly. We adapted well and got 180, which was a great effort from the batters. We had class bowlers who defended it perfectly. Everyone came in and did their job, that's critical and we dwell on it. SKY and Hardik's partnership was critical at that point, we needed someone to bat deep which they did. We know Bumrah's class and what he can do. Important for us to use him smartly regardless of conditions. He's willing to responsibility and he's been doing it for years. (Three-spinners combination) Have to assess conditions, opposition and based on that we're open to make changes if required. Felt three spinners were good here, if it's seamer-friendly next time, we'll go with seamers.

Rashid Khan: We knew we'd be chasing 160-170 given it was against a bigger team. We could've done it had we executed smarter. My bowling has been coming out well, I struggled early in the IPL but am hitting the right areas consistently. but it's the match result that matters most. We've enjoyed our cricket everywhere but our mindset is what matters. If the conditions are helpful, we'll use it depending on if it's a batting or bowling track.

Manu Ajmani: "Great to see my Caucasian colleagues showing interest and asking questions while I had the game playing on another tab. Questions started from: 1. How heavy is the ball? 2. What's the paddle made of? 3. Why do they not wear gloves? 4. Cooldeep throws at only 50 mph? 5. Why don't they just go bang bang every ball? 6. Why do they run back and forth? and the last question after Noor's wicket - When is the next game? World Cup 2024 is making cricket great again!" 1 As per the MCC, 'the ball, when new, shall weigh not less than 5.5 ounces/155.9 g, nor more than 5.75 ounces/163g'. 2 Paddle (bat) is made of willow. 3 Guess it's because cricket considers fielders catching the ball with bare hands a skill. 4. Um, yes. Not limited to that though. Also, bowls, not throws. Two are technically different. 5 I often ask the same thing myself (sigh). 6 Running in just one direction would take them out of the playing area. 7 In a few hours when Australia take on Bangladesh. Hope you and your friends keep following and enjoying the game.

Suryakumar Yadav, POTM: Lot of hard work and practice has gone behind this. Lot of routine and process. I'm very clear about what to do when I go out. I don't mind giving this POTM award to a bowler as well. First for a batter, hope first of many. When Rashid bowls it's tough to get him away. (Adjustments from US to WI) You need to know what the game plan is. Keep the team first when you go out there. I remember when Hardik came in, I told him not to leave too much at the end, when the ball gets old/reverses. Just wanted to push the pedal, see where we get to at 16 overs, and take it from there.

2:05pm India remain undefeated with a clinical win. The change from US to WI didn't seem like it'd be an easy one earlier in the day on a slow pitch. But SKY and Pandya set things up with the bat. Afghanistan tried to gun down a high score by having an explosive start. Gurbaz got a couple away but that was literally the case (one four and one six) and fell trying to take down Bumrah. That led to three powerplay wickets. Naib, Omarzai, N Zadran all got starts but couldn't carry on as India kept chipping away. Arshdeep helped clean the tail, Bumrah

Neeraj : "How is over 19 a maiden when a leg bye was scored?" Because there was no run scored off the bat and that's what counts in a bowler's figures

Nervous Fan: "Bumrah please save your gas for semi final and final we need you badly phew that was breath taking 4 overs 7 runs????"

Final over. Formalities to go. Around the wicket

Just 20 dots in a spell for Bumrah, 24 from Lockie Ferguson against PNG.

RajeshBanda : "I think Afg was seen in great urgency in the power play and lost 3 early wickets. Had they negotiated the powerplay with 40/1, the scenario would have been different. " They tried to frontload, it backfired badly

Can Bumrah bag a four-for?

samyak jain: "times like this makes me think is it too bad to play for NRR?"

No Indian bowler has taken a men's T20 WC hat-trick, informs Ravi Shastri. Around. Slip in

Around

learning_to_fly: "Am I the only one who feels like India didnt even have to get to the 3rd gear to win this game? Could be sending a warning sign to the others!"