India’s commanding 50-run victory over Bangladesh in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has been further sweetened by Afghanistan’s stunning 21-run upset against Australia. Afghanistan’s win, led by Gulbadin Naib’s 4 for 20 and Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 61 runs, has nearly guaranteed India a place in the semi-finals, with only the upcoming match against Australia remaining to determine the final positions in Group 1. India’s earlier victory was anchored by Hardik Pandya’s unbeaten half-century and Kuldeep Yadav’s exceptional bowling, restricting Bangladesh to a chase that fell short at 146-8. India’s semi-final qualification now seems a formality, as the team prepares for their final Super Eight game against Australia. The team’s strategy, as described by captain Rohit Sharma, of smart batting and making the most of the conditions, including using the breeze effectively, has been a template for their success so far. With their net run rate at a robust +2.425, India’s chances of advancing look promising.
Key points
- Afghanistan’s victory over Australia by 21 runs has nearly secured India’s position in the T20 World Cup semi-finals.
- India’s earlier win against Bangladesh was led by Hardik Pandya’s unbeaten 50 off 27 balls and Kuldeep Yadav’s 3 for 19.
- India faces Australia in their final Super Eight match, with both teams’ semi-final chances influenced by the outcome.