India vs Afghanistan LIVE: Cricket World Cup 2023 result and reaction as Virat Kohli 50 leads hosts to victory
The hosts aim to win consecutive matches after defeating Australia in their opening game
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.India cruised to victory in their second Cricket World Cup match thanks to a stomping innings for captain Rohit Sharma. Chasing 273 to secure a second successive victory of the tournament, Sharma got the hosts off to a flying start, dispatching the ball to all parts as India scored at 9.4 runs per over for the first 10.
He was ably backed up by Ishan Kishan (47) but Sharma stole the show, breaking Chris Gayle’s record for most international sixes hit and becoming the first batter in Cricket World Cup history to record seven centuries in the competition. Kishan’s dismissal brought Virat Kohli to the crease and he received a warm welcome from the crowd.
Kohli, playing second fiddle to Sharma who was eventually bowled for 131, settled quickly and looked determined to lead India over the line having failed to do so against Australia last time out. He notched up a calm and composed 55*, his second half-century of the tournament as India won with 15 overs to spare.
Earlier in the day a total in the vicinity of 300 looked well within Afghanistan’s but a clutch of wickets fell towards the end to leave them short on a batting friendly track. Jasprit Bumrah was pick of the Indian bowlers claiming 4-39.
Relive the action from India vs Afghanistan below plus get all the latest odds and tips for the <strong><em>Cricket World Cup</em></strong> right here:
Afghanistan 114-3 (25), Shahidi 25, Azmat 25, Kuldeep 0-23 (5)
There’s the breaking point! Shahidi continues on his merry way but Azmat takes the risk and lofts Kuldeep back over his own head for a maximum.
He goes again but this one is a little wider. Azmat targets mid off this time and nails it out of the middle of the bat for six more!
14 runs come from the over and the fifty partnership comes up between Shahidi and Azmat. If they can push on now, Afghanistan will be in a very good position.
Afghanistan 100-3 (24), Shahidi 24, Azmat 12, Jadeja 0-15 (4)
Eight overs of spin have now been bowled in a hurry with just 24 runs coming from them. Four singles come from the first balls of Jadeja’s fourth over and Azmat is happy to continue that way.
A push into the legside brings him one before Shahidi brings up the hundred for Afghanistan with another one. Six singles from the over.
Afghanistan 94-3 (23), Shahidi 21, Azmat 9, Kuldeep 0-9 (4)
Afghanistan have hard a look at the two spinners and are starting to open up. Azmat smokes Kuldeep over to the fielder at deep midwicket but only collects one run.
Shahidi struggles to find the gaps as Kuldeep is super accurate in targeting the stumps. India continue to bowl impressively and the run rate is slowing down.
Afghanistan 93-3 (22), Shahidi 21, Azmat 8, Jadeja 0-9 (3)
Fortune favours Hashmatullah Shahidi who looks to whack Ravindra Jadeja over the legside boundary. He doesn’t get to the ball and edges it away to third man for four runs!
Jadeja bowls a no-ball, as there were only four fielders inside the circle, which leaves Shahidi with a free hit to face. He spoons the ball straight up into the air and is caught but the batters sprint through for one.
Azmat ends the over with a run of his own. Seven runs come from it.
Afghanistan 86-3 (21), Shahidi 16, Azmat 7, Kuldeep 0-8 (3)
More of the same from Shahidi who pushes the ball into the offside and takes a single. Azmat is more expansive and attempts a drive that isn’t quite on.
He gets lucky as the ball bounces short of the fielder at mid-off. Smartly though, Azmat manages to get off strike before Shahidi rotates the ball into the offside for another single.
Afghanistan 83-3 (20), Shahidi 14, Azmat 6, Jadeja 0-2 (2)
A dainty push through point sees Shahidi continue to accummulate runs for Afghanistan. It’s only one but the ease at which he can get off strike will make him happy at the crease.
Azmat is the one struggling to rotate the strike as Jadeja rattles through another over.
Afghanistan 82-3 (19), Shahidi 13, Azmat 6, Kuldeep 0-5 (2)
Hashmatullah Shahidi seems confident at the crease. He’s working the ball around both sides of the wicket and collecting singles at will.
Azmat is a little more forceful. He drills a powerful cut shot to the boundary but only collects one. Another run for Shahidi brings Afghanistan three from the over.
Afghanistan 79-3 (18), Shahidi 11, Azmat 5, Jadeja 0-1 (1)
Spin at both ends. Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack as India are looking to rattle through a bunch of overs to pile the pressure on Afghanistan.
Jadeja comes around the wicket to the left-handed Shahidi who punches him down to long on for one.
Afghanistan 78-3 (17), Shahidi 10, Azmat 5, Kuldeep 0-2 (1)
Now it’s time for some spin. The left-handed leg-spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, comes into the attack for India. He bowled superbly against Australia and will want to back up that performance today.
Azmat takes a single from the second ball before Shahidi works the ball down to long on for one of his own. Just two from the over.
Afghanistan 76-3 (16), Shahidi 9, Azmat 4, Thakur 1-22 (4)
Shahidi is starting to tick. He takes two then guides a decent length ball down to third man for one to keep the score moving in the right direction.
Azmat rotates the strike and the Afghanistan batters are content to pick up the singles for now.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments