India vs Afghanistan Scorecard World Cup 2023 Highlights & Match Summary:

India skipper Rohit Sharma broke a 40-year old record as he scored the fastest century by an Indian in a World Cup as he led his team to a 8 wicket victory against Afghanistan. Virat Kohli also helped himself to a 50 in a batting friendly track and guided India home with a half century. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (80) and Azmatullah Omarzai (62) lead Afghnaistan’s resistance against a buoyant India bowling attack as they finished with 272/8 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers when he finished with figures of 4/39.

Match Overview:

Earlier, Shahidi had won the toss and elected to bat first. India made one change to their side from the previous game as they dropped off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and brought in seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur. India’s pacer bowled well to restrict Afghanistan on 272/8 after 50 overs. Jasprit Bumrah clinched 4 wickets, Hardik Pandya 2, while Kuldeep Yadav and Shardul Thakur got one wicket each. For Aghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (80) and Azmatullah Omarzai played well to take the score forward. 

All rounder Hardik Pandya provided India with big wicket as he ended the partnership Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai. After some expensive overs, Indian bowlers are came back in the game. Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai made a crucial partnership and provided the required stability to Afghanistan. Both Afghanistan batters have smashed their fifties. 

Chasing 273 to win, Rohit Sharma went on a six-hitting spree, smashing an 84-ball 131 to record the most number of centuries in World Cup history, while Ishan Kishan (47), Virat Kohli (55 not out) and Shreyas Iyer (25 not out) chipped in with use contributions as the hosts romped home in 35 overs. Rohit and Ishan shared a 156-run partnership for the opening wicket to set the platform for the chase. Rashid Khan is the only bowler from Afghanistan who picked two wickets in his 8 overs spell.

Record:

Rohit Sharma hit his 554th career six during the World Cup match against Afghanistan on Wednesday, surpassing the mark of West Indies star Chris Gayle. The India captain achieved the feat from all three formats of the game when he smashed fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq for his third hit over the fence in the team’s pursuit of a 273-run target. Rohit also crossed 1,000 runs in World Cup matches and then reached his 50 off 30 balls. His record six brought fans to their feet at the nearly packed stadium. Gayle, a left-hand batsman and self-styled “Universe Boss”, has 553 sixes to his name with Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi a distant third with 476.