In a commanding performance at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, India defeated Afghanistan by 66 runs, a vital result that keeps them in the running for the World Cup. The victory was fueled by a massive 210-run total—the best of the 2021 tournament—driven by a powerhouse start from Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. Both openers played aggressively, clearing the boundary frequently to score half-centuries at a strike rate of 140+.
India defeated Afghanistan by 66 runs with a dominant display at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Team India kept their World Cup hopes alive after securing a comfortable win. Indian openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul gave a blistering start and helped their side reach a massive total of 210 runs. Both scored half-centuries with a strike rate of 140 and above. India recorded the highest score of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
The opening duo of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul set a blistering pace, racking up 53 runs in the powerplay alone. Even as Afghanistan's bowlers tried to tighten their line, the two batsmen kept attacking, eventually putting on 140 runs for the first wicket—a new benchmark for India in the ICC T20 tournament.
The partnership finally broke when Karim Janat got Rohit Sharma out for 74, and shortly after, Gulbadin Naib dismissed KL Rahul for 69. Following this, India opted for an aggressive move by sending in Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya earlier than usual, both of whom continued the onslaught with several boundaries.
India's fast bowlers seized control early on, claiming two wickets in just two balls; Shami took a wicket for zero runs (Shahzad), and Bumrah dismissed Hazratullah for 13. The bowling unit remained disciplined throughout, stifling the Afghan batters. Ravi Ashwin was particularly effective, delivering a stellar spell and picking up two wickets.
A late partnership between Mohammad Nabi (35) and Janat (42*), who added 57 for the sixth wicket, offered a glimpse of a fightback. However, Shami shut down the hopes by removing both Nabi and Rashid Khan in a single over. By winning with such a significant margin, India also gave their net run rate a welcome boost.