India vs Afghanistan LIVE: Cricket World Cup 2023 result and reaction as Virat Kohli 50 leads hosts to victory
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 Cricket World Cup right here:
India vs Afghanistan
Rohit Sharma’s individual brilliance shows just how dangerous India can be
50! Rohit Sharma gets India off to a flier in reply, India 75-0
100 partnership! The Indian openers bring up the hundred in just 12 overs, India 100-0
100! Sharma makes his seventh century at the Cricket World Cup
Wicket! Kishan ct Ibrahim b Rashid 47 (47), India 156-1
200 up! Kohli whips Azmat to the boundary to bring up India’s 200, India 201-1
Wicket! Sharma b Rashid 131 (84), India 205-2
50! Virat Kohli records a half century, India 269-2
India win by eight wickets!
Rohit Sharma’s individual brilliance shows just how dangerous India can be
17:32 , Mike Jones
World Cup hosts India cantered to their second successive win of the tournament after captain Rohit Sharma’s incendiary century set up their eight-wicket thrashing of Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Rohit belted 131 off 84 balls, clobbering five sixes and 16 fours, as twice champions India chased down a 273-run victory target with 15 overs to spare at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Virat Kohli made 55 not out, sealing the easy win with a boundary as the tournament hosts maintained their red-hot form ahead of Saturday’s much-anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in Ahmedabad.
Electing to bat after winning the toss, Afghanistan were 63-3 in the 14th over before skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (80) and Azmatullah Omarzai (62) combined in a 121-run stand to frustrate India.
Rohit Sharma’s individual brilliance shows just how dangerous India can be
Sybrand Engelbrecht: The Netherlands’ latest World Cup recruit who almost gave up on cricket altogether
17:30 , Mike Jones
When Sybrand Engelbrecht took the field for Netherlands’ match against New Zealand in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, only a handful of ardent cricket fans would have recognised him.
Engelbrecht had last played a competitive match back in 2016 for Western Province, a domestic cricket team in South Africa, in a three-day cup, before retiring as a professional cricketer.
He decided to use his MBA degree to move to the Netherlands and start working as an investment specialist.
The Netherlands’ latest World Cup recruit had almost given up on cricket altogether
Afghanistan cricket star Rashid Khan to donate World Cup match fees to earthquake victims
17:23 , Mike Jones
Afghanistan star Rashid Khan has said he will be donating his match fees from the ICC Cricket World Cup to help the victims of the catastrophic earthquake that struck his country over the weekend.
The powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake shook Herat in western Afghanistan, killing over 2,400 people, injuring over 2,000 and destroying at least 1,300 houses. It comes just 16 months after another major earthquake hit the country in June 2022 that led to 1,000 deaths.
Khan, who captains Afghanistan’s T20 side and is one of the most successful sporting figures from the country, has always been vocal about the welfare of his countrymen. He has now pledged to do his bit to help Afghanistan in its time of crisis.
Afghanistan cricket star to donate World Cup match fees to earthquake victims
Shubman Gill to rejoin India ahead of World Cup match against Pakistan
17:17 , Mike Jones
Star batter Shubman Gill is set to rejoin Team India but remains doubtful for their upcoming clash with arch-rivals Pakistan on 14 October in the Cricket World Cup 2023.
Gill, who missed India’s opening match in the World Cup against Australia after reportedly catching a fever, is expected to reach Ahmedabad on 11 October, as per media reports.
Gill did not travel with the Indian team to Delhi for their second match after their six-wicket victory over Australia and was believed to be down with dengue but this was never confirmed by the team management. The 24-year-old opening batter was taken to a hospital in Chennai for treatment but was eventually discharged after his health improved.
Shubman Gill to rejoin India ahead of WC match against Pakistan
Rohit Sharma smashes six-hitting record in international cricket
17:12 , Mike Jones
Rohit Sharma smashed his way into the history books in front of a sold-out crowd in Delhi, becoming the player with the most sixes across all forms of international cricket.
India hosted Afghanistan in Delhi in the second match of the ICC Cricket World Cup and were set 273 to win, with Sharma opening at the top of the order.
Before the match, Rohit sat second in the list behind Chris Gayle, with 551 to the West Indian’s 553. But Delhi was witness to not one but multiple records from the Indian captain en route to his century.
Rohit Sharma smashes six-hitting record in international cricket
Sharma on facing Pakistan next
17:06 , Mike Jones
“It is quite crucial that we don’t worry too much about the external factors. We need to show up on the ground really well. Ever game we will treat like that and focus on what we need to do on that particular day.”
More from Roht Sharma
17:00 , Mike Jones
“It was a good win for us. It is very important to get momentum at the start and have the winning streak continue. There will be times you are put under pressure but it is about absorbing that and making the right decisions as a team.
“There will be times as a bowling side when we’re put under pressure but I’m sure the games we played in the build-up to the World Cup will help. We need to leave that aside and move on from here.
“We want players to have different skillsets and bring different attributes to the team. It puts you in good positions as a team. With the bat we’ve got people can play fearless and their are guys who can absorb pressure.
“When you have all-round players in your squad most of the things are taken care of and just making sure you take the right decision in the game.”
Reaction from Afghanistan captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi
16:55 , Mike Jones
“We had a target of 300+ in these conditions, especially as India’s batting line-up is strong. But back-to-back wickets cost us.
“Our thinking behind the decision to bat first was that the surface was good so we wanted to score runs and put pressure on the opposition.
“We have seven more games. We will try and learn from our mistakes and come back with a positive attitude.”
India beat Afghanistan by eight wickets
16:51 , Mike Jones
Player of the match Rohit Sharma: “It was a good pitch to bat on. I was just backing myself to play my natural game. I knew once I got my eye in the pitch would only get easier and easier to bat on. I’ve been thinking about it a long time. I was glad I could go a little big and it was a special feeling and it is always special to score a hundred in a World Cup.
“I don’t want to think about records too much. There is a long way to go and I don’t want to lose my focus. I want to focus on the what the team requires of me and when you get days like this you want to make it count and make it count big.
“Some of it is premeditated. You can’t just keep going and playing those kind of shots but at times I let my instinct take over. Sometimes it works really well. It is my duty as an opener to make the start that we want, particularly in a chase, and put the team in a comfortable position. I love doing that. I want to back myself to keep doing that. It is important to not lose that mindset and keep putting pressure on the opposition.”
India beat Afghanistan by eight wickets
16:47 , Mike Jones
Rohit Sharma was, understandably, awarded the player of the match for his impressive and rapid 131 runs that pretty much took all the pressure off the Indian run chase.
Virat Kohli played well in his final World Cup game at Delhi while Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers with 4-39.
It’s a second heavy defeat for Afghanistan who would have thought they were in with a chance at the halfway stage.
India beat Afghanistan by eight wickets
16:45 , Mike Jones
India 273-2 (35), Shreyas 25, Kohli 55, Azmat 0-34 (4), India win by eight wickets
16:31 , Mike Jones
Shreyas does Kohli a favour and takes one from the next ball to bring Kohli back on strike. He pulls away a short ball and takes two this time to bring up another World Cup half-century!
And that’ll do it!
Kohli smokes the ball back over the bowler’s head for four runs and takes India over the line, finishing 55 not out in the process.
India 266-2 (34.3), Shreyas 24, Kohli 47, Azmat 0-27 (3,3) need 7 runs to win
16:29 , Mike Jones
Virat Kohli punches Azmatullah Omarzai through the offside to earn himself four runs. The next ball he dances underneath a bouncer before working the third ball of the over down the ground for one.
Seven to win...
India 261-2 (34), Shreyas 24, Kohli 44, Fazal 0-50 (6) need 12 runs to win
16:26 , Mike Jones
Fazal continues after drinks with India looking to finish this match off as quickly as possible. Shreyas takes one to leave Kohli five balls in the over.
Can he bring up a half-century?
He tries with a couple of heavy hits that find the fielders then decides to take a single with a guided push to third man.
Four! Shreyas pulls a soft, short ball to the boundary for four. India need 12 to win.
India 255-2 (33), Shreyas 19, Kohli 43, Mujeeb 0-64 (8) need 18 runs to win
16:20 , Mike Jones
That’s six of them! Shreyas Iyer smashes Mujeeb Ur Rahman into the stands for a maximum. India’s 250 also comes up with that shot.
Kohli flicks the ball into the legside and comes back for a couple of runs, edging his way ever closer to a fifty.
11 runs come from the over. India only need 18 more to win as the players take drinks.
India 244-2 (32), Shreyas 11, Kohli 40, Fazal 0-44 (5) need 29 runs to win
16:17 , Mike Jones
Fazalhaq Farooqi comes back into the attack targeting a couple of wickets. He come around the wicket and it worked into the legside by Shreyas.
Five singles come from the over. India require 29 runs to win.
India 239-2 (31), Shreyas 8, Kohli 38, Mujeeb 0-53 (7) need 34 runs to win
16:12 , Mike Jones
India aren’t in a hurry to knock these runs off anymore. Both batters are happy to work the ball away for singles and chip away at the total.
Just the two runs come from the over.
India 237-2 (30), Shreyas 7, Kohli 37, Rashid 2-57 (8) need 36 runs to win
16:10 , Mike Jones
Virat Kohli is backing up his 85 from the Australia game and is closing in on another half-century. He and Shreyas rotate the strike for the first three deliveries of Rashid Khan’s eighth over.
Five runs come from it. India need 36 to win.
India 232-2 (29), Shreyas 5, Kohli 34, Mujeeb 0-51 (6) need 41 runs to win
16:08 , Mike Jones
Mujeeb Ur Rahman is reintroduced into the bowling attack and gets worked into the outfield for a couple of singles. He then pings a wide down the legside with the wicketkeeper stood up.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz misses the ball behind the stumps and the ball races away for four more additional runs.
11 runs in total come from the over as Shreyas and Kohli work the ball the gaps with ease.
India 221-2 (28), Shreyas 4, Kohli 30, Rashid 2-52 (7) need 52 runs to win
16:04 , Mike Jones
Kohli pushes the ball into the gap at cover for one as Rashid Khan continues for Afghanistan. Shreyas Iyer needs a knock to ease some of the pressure on him.
Like Kohli, he knocks the ball around for one. Kohli then opens up his front hip and and whips the ball through midwicket for four runs!
Nine runs come from this over without India really trying to attack the bowling.
India 212-2 (27), Shreyas 1, Kohli 24, Azmat 0-22 (3) need 61 runs to win
16:00 , Mike Jones
Virat Kohli’s job is to now see India over the line. They need 66 runs, sorry make that 62 as Kohli smokes Azmat away to the fence. He guides the ball to third man for a single to take anothe five runs from the over.
India 207-2 (26), Shreyas 1, Kohli 19, Rashid 2-43 (6) need 66 runs to win
15:58 , Mike Jones
Shreyas Iyer is the new batter for India. He’s off the mark immediately as the hosts take five from Rashid’s over despite losing the wicket of Sharma.
Wicket! Rohit Sharma b Rashid Khan 131 (84), India 205-2 (25.4)
15:56 , Mike Jones
Got him! Rohit Sharma drops low to sweep Rashid Khan away across the line. He misses the ball and Rashid hits. The bails are dislodged and the Indian captain has to depart for a magnificent 131.
India 205-1 (25.3), Sharma 131, Kohli 18, Rashid 1-40 (5.3) need 68 runs to win
15:55 , Mike Jones
Rashid Khan doesn’t get much of a break and comes on at the other end. His first three balls are worked away for three singles...
India 202-1 (25), Sharma 131, Kohli 16, Azmat 0-17 (2) need 71 runs to win
15:51 , Mike Jones
Azmatullah Omarzai returns to the attack with Rashid Khan getting a break. Virat Kohli whips him into the gap behind backward square leg for finds the boundary for four runs.
The 200 is up for India at the halfway stage of the innings. Kohli takes Azmat for five runs in the over, India need 71 more to win.
India 197-1 (24), Sharma 131, Kohli 11, Naveen 0-31 (5) need 76 runs to win
15:47 , Mike Jones
Naveen-Ul-Haq wants to win a personal battle with Virat Kohli. The game is quickly being taken away from Afghanistan but he’ll feel a good deal better if he can get the wicket of Kohli.
Kohli just works him away for one run and moves into double figures. Three singles come from the over.
India 194-1 (23), Sharma 130, Kohli 9, Rashid 1-39 (5) need 79 runs to win
15:42 , Mike Jones
Rashid Khan is slightly short and wide which allows Rohit Sharma to cut him away for four runs. The next ball is straight but Sharma shuffles onto the back foot and spanks him away for four more.
Six! Rashid goes full, Sharma goes big. This is insanely good batting and Sharma wants to finish this in a hurry.
The over ends with a single each for Sharma and Kohli.
India 178-1 (22), Sharma 115, Kohli 8, Naveen 0-28 (4) need 95 runs to win
15:38 , Mike Jones
India need 100 more runs from 29 overs as Naveen-Ul-Haq continues. Sharma takes him over the top and takes the seamer for four more runs.
A flick to the fielder at deep midwicket brings him one more and leaves Kohli three balls to play out. Naveen seems to be slightly sharper when bowling at the Indian great and targets the stumps more.
India 173-1 (21), Sharma 110, Kohli 8, Rashid 1-23 (4) need 100 runs to win
15:33 , Mike Jones
Virat Kohli is properly underway. His characteristic cover drive is drilled into the gap and brings him a first boundary of the innings as the crowd start to chant his name.
Four singles and a wide come from the rest of the over bringing India nine runs closer to the total.
Rohit Sharma smashes six-hitting record in international cricket
15:30 , Mike Jones
Rohit Sharma has smashed his way into the history books, becoming the player with the most sixes in all forms of international cricket.
India hosted Afghanistan in Delhi in the second match of the ICC Cricket World Cup and were set 273 to win, with Sharma opening at the top of the order.
Before the match, Rohit sat second in the list behind Chris Gayle, with 551 to the West Indian’s 553. But Delhi was witness to not one but multiple records from the Indian captain en route to his century.
Rohit Sharma smashes six-hitting record in international cricket
India 164-1 (20), Sharma 108, Kohli 2, Naveen 0-22 (3) need 109 runs to win
15:29 , Mike Jones
Four more! A simple but powerful drive from Rohit Sharma welcomes Naveen-Ul-Haq back into the attack and brings the captain a boundary.
He pushes the ball down the ground for a single to bring Virat Kohli on strike for the final two delieveries of Naveen’s over. Kohli blocks the first one then edges the second down to third man for one.
India 158-1 (19), Sharma 103, Kohli 1, Rashid 1-14 (3) need 115 runs to win
15:26 , Mike Jones
Virat Kohli comes to the crease to a loud round of applause and lots of cheering. He’s of the mark immediately and will want to see this run chase through to the end with his captain.
Wicket! Ishan Kishan ct Ibrahim Zadran b Rashid Khan 47 (47), India 156-1 (18.4)
15:23 , Mike Jones
Rashid Khan gets the breakthrough for Afghanistan. He draws a leading edge out of Ishan Kishan who tries to work the ball into the legside.
Instead it loops into the air and Ibrahim Zadran takes the catch.
India 154-0 (18), Sharma 101, Kishan 46, Nabi 0-32 (4) need 119 runs to win
15:19 , Mike Jones
Mohammad Nabi continues and floats one wide to Rohit Sharma. Sharma pushes at the ball and slices it away behind point for four runs!
He moves to 99.
100 for Rohit Sharma! A push into the legside brings him to his century, a seventh at the Cricket World Cup. That’s more than Sachin Tendulkar made and he brought it up off 63 balls.
Ishan Kishan doesn’t want to be outdone and bangs Nabi down to the ground for six to bring up the 150 for India. Three more singles make it 14 from the over.
India 140-0 (17), Sharma 95, Kishan 38, Rashid 0-10 (2) need 133 runs to win
15:15 , Mike Jones
The players stop for a drink with India having already knocked off more than half of their required runs in just 17 overs. Rohit Sharma is closing in on a century while Ishan Kishan works his way up to fifty.
This has been a barnstorming assault from the two opening batters.
India 140-0 (17), Sharma 95, Kishan 38, Rashid 0-10 (2) need 133 runs to win
15:11 , Mike Jones
Rohit Sharma seems to be working towards his hundred. He’s put the big shots away and works Rashid Khan over to the legside for a single to move to 94.
Kishan then forces the ball over the offside and scrambles back for two runs. Two more singles end the over. Five runs come from it.
India 135-0 (16), Sharma 93, Kishan 35, Nabi 0-18 (3) need 138 runs to win
15:08 , Mike Jones
After Sharma gets off strike Ishan Kishan goes on the move. Nabi drags one down allowing the left-hander to get onto the back foot and smoke the ball away for four runs.
Kishan inside edges the final delivery of the over past his own stumps and gets away with one. The two Afghanistan spinners have slowed the rate down, slightly.
India 130-0 (15), Sharma 92, Kishan 31, Rashid 0-5 (1) need 143 runs to win
15:04 , Mike Jones
Rashid Khan is now brought into the attack for Afghanistan. He’s the best bowler in the team by a long way and will try to slow down India’s scoring rate if not take some wickets.
Sharma and Kishan take one apiece then a flick around the corner brings Sharma an easy two. Five runs come from Rashid’s first over.
India 125-0 (14), Sharma 88, Kishan 30, Mujeeb 0-40 (5) need 148 runs to win
15:01 , Mike Jones
The runs are flowing and there’s nothing Afghanistan can do to stop them. Kishan works Mujeeb away for four before taking one to bring Sharma back on strike.
Sharma guides the ball past the fielder at short fine leg then lifts Mujeeb over cover. Both shots bring him boundaries and he ends the over with a single.
14 from it.
India 111-0 (13), Sharma 79, Kishan 25, Nabi 0-17 (2) need 162 runs to win
14:57 , Mike Jones
Kishan is unleashing now as well! He’s had a look at Nabi and decides to go on the attack. Two sweep shots, one for four and one for six bring him 10 runs and he takes a single off the last ball.
11 from the over.
India 100-0 (12), Sharma 79, Kishan 14, Mujeeb 0-26 (4) need 173 runs to win
14:55 , Mike Jones
Rohit Sharma seems to have reined in his attacking instincts for the time being and is content to accummulate the runs. Four singles come from the over but India bring up their 100.
173 runs needed to win.
India 96-0 (11), Sharma 77, Kishan 12, Nabi 0-2 (1) need 177 runs to win
14:51 , Mike Jones
Ishan Kishan seems like a forgotten man at the other end with Rohit Sharma absolutely teeing off. There’s no pressure on him to score quickly so he’s taking the time to get settled.
Mohammad Nabi comes on and Kishan punches him away for a single. Sharma is watchful to the new bowler and turns him into the legside for one more.
Just two from the over.
India 94-0 (10), Sharma 76, Kishan 11, Mujeeb 0-22 (3) need 179 runs to win
14:48 , Mike Jones
Mujeeb is brought back on to try and bring Afghanistan some control. Rohit Sharma tries to nail him into the stands after a wide ball and just chips the ball down the ground.
He escapes as that was catchable and has to settle for one. Ishan Kishan gives the captain the strike back and Sharma sweeps the last ball away for four!
10 overs gone, India are scoring at 9.4 runs per over.
India 87-0 (9), Sharma 71, Kishan 10, Azmat 0-12 (1) need 186 runs to win
14:43 , Mike Jones
Azmatullah Omarzai is brought into the attack to bowl at Rohit Sharma. Maybe his batting can give him some confidence against the India captain’s onslaught.
Or maybe not. A short ball is launched into the stands for a maximum before Sharma stands his ground and drills a fuller delivery over mid-off for four more.
That last six went 93 metres. It’s the biggest six of the World Cup so far. Sharma also steals the strike off the last ball of the over too.
India 75-0 (8), Sharma 60, Kishan 10, Naveen 0-17 (2) need 198 runs to win
14:38 , Mike Jones
Rohit Sharma is searching for his fifty. Twice he tries to dab the ball down and sprint through for a single but can’t get off strike. A more powerful drive on the third delivery from Naveen hits the fielder at point.
There is is! A smack down the ground brings up Sharma’s 50 in just 30 deliveries. He’s got India motoring towards the total.
Huge! With his fifty brought up Sharma mullers the ball into the stands for another six! India need less than 200 already.
India 64-0 (7), Sharma 49, Kishan 10, Fazal 0-39 (4) need 209 runs to win
14:32 , Mike Jones
Fifty for India! Rohit Sharma is totally in the zone. He launches the first ball of the over into the offside for a one bounce four then smashes a cut shot through point for consecutive boundaries.
A leading edge brings two for Sharma as the runs continue to flow.
Six more! A short ball down the legside is pulled away and Sharma says thank you for the freebie. The Indian captain then calls Kishan through for a quick single to move to 49.
17 runs from the over.
India 47-0 (6), Sharma 32, Kishan 10, Naveen 0-10 (1) need 226 runs to win
14:27 , Mike Jones
Naveen-Ul-Haq has a few variations in his arsenal and could be a crucial component in Afghanistan’s defence.
He comes round the wicket to Ishan Kishan and tempts him to flick the ball through fine leg. The comes seriously close to the fielder but Kishan collects four.
He and Sharma rotate the strike for a single each before Kishan takes another loose ball down the fine leg boundary for four more.
India 37-0 (5), Sharma 31, Kishan 5, Fazal 0-22 (3) need 236 runs to win
14:22 , Mike Jones
Six! Rohit Sharma is really starting to get going. He’ll want to get a big one today after missing out against Australia. A shuffle down the wicket gets him to the pitch of the ball and he nails it up and over mid off for a maximum.
Sharma now has over 1000 runs in World Cup matches, becoming to fourth Indian player to do so.
Four more! A change in field sees fine leg come up but Fazal strays into the pads. Sharma helps it on its way and picks up another four.
And again! This one goes through the offside. Huge over for India. 14 coming from it.
India 23-0 (4), Sharma 17, Kishan 5, Mujeeb 0-11 (2) need 250 runs to win
14:17 , Mike Jones
Four runs! Ishan Kishan gets off the mark for the tournament by freeing his hands through a cover drive and finding the gap perfectly to send the ball flying away to the boundary.
The next ball sees him quickly rock onto a back foot and pull the ball to the legside boundary for one more.
Short and gone! A drag down delivery from Mujeeb is mullered through midwicket by Rohit Sharma who picks up a second boundary of the over.
10 runs come from the fourth over.
India 13-0 (3), Sharma 11, Kishan 0, Fazal 0-8 (2) need 260 runs to win
14:14 , Mike Jones
Fazal’s left-arm seamers are pretty good. It looks as if he’s getting a bit of zip off the pitch despite only bowling in the low 80mph.
Sharma’s balance is equally as good and he leans into a loose ball that swings down the legside, dispatching it through square leg and away for four!
A tightening of his line from Fazal keeps Sharma stuck on his crease and he can only push the ball into the offside. A punch through square-leg off the back foot brings Sharma another couple of runs.
The Indian captain seems to have settled quickly.
India 7-0 (2), Sharma 6, Kishan 0, Mujeeb 0-5 (1) need 266 runs to win
14:08 , Mike Jones
Mujeen Ur Rahman is opening up from the other end with a few slow paced spinners. Rohit Sharma twice whips him into the legside and collects two runs each time.
A push down the ground brings the Indian captain another run as he looks to settle quickly into this innings.
India 2-0 (1) Sharma 1 Kishan 0, Fazal 0-2 (1) need 271 runs to win
14:05 , Sonia Twigg
Sharma is off the mark first ball with a single off Fazal.
Kishan had a bit more difficulty against the Afghanistan seamer who seemed to be getting a bit of lift and movement off the surface.
Afghanistan set India 273 runs to win
14:01 , Sonia Twigg
And it’s almost time for the second innings to get underway...
Afghanistan set India 273 runs to win
13:57 , Sonia Twigg
Virat Kohli has said he will feel “awkward” playing in front of the pavilion named after him in India’s next World Cup match in Delhi.
The star batsman was referring to the venue for his country’s next game in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, in comments made to his team mate KL Rahul.
Team India are currently in Delhi, where Kohli grew up and embarked on his journey as a cricketer, for their second match in the World Cup against Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Virat Kohli says he feels ‘awkward’ playing in front of pavilion named after him
Afghanistan set India 273 runs to win
13:48 , Sonia Twigg
When Sybrand Engelbrecht took the field for Netherlands’ match against New Zealand in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, only a handful of ardent cricket fans would have recognised him.
Engelbrecht had last played a competitive match back in 2016 for Western Province, a domestic cricket team in South Africa, in a three-day cup, before retiring as a professional cricketer.
He decided to use his MBA degree to move to the Netherlands and start working as an investment specialist.
But the Johannesburg-born player then did something bizarre.
He decided to return to cricket.
The Netherlands’ latest World Cup recruit had almost given up on cricket altogether
Afghanistan set India 273 runs to win
13:45 , Sonia Twigg
Here’s another look at some of the stories around the cricket World Cup:
Star batter Shubman Gill is set to rejoin Team India but remains doubtful for their upcoming clash with arch-rivals Pakistan on 14 October in the Cricket World Cup 2023.
Gill, who missed India’s opening match in the World Cup against Australia after reportedly catching a fever, is expected to reach Ahmedabad on 11 October, as per media reports.
Gill did not travel with the Indian team to Delhi for their second match after their six-wicket victory over Australia and was believed to be down with dengue but this was never confirmed by the team management. The 24-year-old opening batter was taken to a hospital in Chennai for treatment but was eventually discharged after his health improved.
Shubman Gill to rejoin India ahead of WC match against Pakistan
Afghanistan set India 273 runs to win
13:40 , Sonia Twigg
Here are some photos from the first innings:
Afghanistan set India 273 runs to win
13:32 , Sonia Twigg
Afghanistan have dug in and set a total, it might be far from the highest seen at the World Cup, but after their defeat to Bangladesh they have shown that they cannot be underestimated in the tournament.
During the middle period, India struggled to take the required wickets, and Hashmat and Amzat enjoyed a strong partnership that briefly threatened to lift their side towards a 300-total.
Spin will be key, especially with Afghanistan boasting Rashid Khan.
Afghanistan 272-8 (50), Naveen 9, Mujeeb 10, Siraj 0-76 (9)
13:30 , Mike Jones
Mohammad Siraj will finish off the innings for India. He starts well with a couple of dot balls before Naveen lifts him down the ground for a couple of runs.
A late cut from the batter then takes Afghanistan over 270 with a boundary. This is a good score now and will cause India a few problems during the chase.
Two more byes come from the over and Afghanistan finish on 272-8. They’ll be over the moon with that total.
Afghanistan 264-8 (49), Naveen 3, Mujeeb 10, Bumrah 4-39 (10)
13:26 , Mike Jones
Naveen-Ul-Haq is the new batter and will pick up as many runs as he can. He works Bumrah away for three.
The Indian seamer finishes with four wickets for just 39 runs in a fantastic effort for the home team. One over to go, what can Afghanistan finish on?
Wicket! Rashid Khan ct Kuldeep Yadav b Jasprit Bumrah 16 (12), Afghanistan 261-8 (48.1)
13:22 , Mike Jones
Jasprit Bumrah gets Rashid Khan!
Rashif looks to launch another one into the stands but loops the ball into the outfield. Kuldeep Yadav sprints around, gets to the ball with a dive and snaffles it on the second attempt.
Afghanistan 261-7 (48), Rashid 16, Mujeeb 10, Siraj 0-69 (8)
13:20 , Mike Jones
Mohammed Siraj comes on for India. He’s been one of the poorer bowlers today but could end of a high if he takes a couple of wickets.
Rashid Khan doesn’t want him to though. After a couple of singles he cuts Siraj away for four to bring up Afghanistan’s 250.
Maximum! Rashid continues to swing and connects with the middle of the bat. This time the ball sails over the ropes for six!
14 runs from the over.
Afghanistan 247-7 (47), Rashid 4, Mujeeb 9, Bumrah 3-36 (9)
13:15 , Mike Jones
Afghanistan’s new target has to be anything over 250. Rashid Khan works Jasprit Bumrah away for one to edge closer to that total.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman is at the crease now too but he’s not got the skills to get Bumrah away.
I was wrong. Mujeeb stands his ground and whacks Bumrah back over his own head for four runs! What a shot that is.
Four more! A short is gloved down to fine leg and the ball races away for another boundary, these are handy runs for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan 238-7 (46), Rashid 3, Mujeeb 1, Jadeja 0-38 (8)
13:10 , Mike Jones
Jadeja is back and is quickly through his over with three runs coming from it. Four overs to go.
Wicket! Mohammad Nabi lbw Jasprit Bumrah 19 (27), Afghanistan 235-7 (45)
13:08 , Mike Jones
Another one! Two wickets in the over for Jasprit Bumrah who is cleaning up the tail. Mohammad Nabi steps too far across his stumps and is hit in front.
The umpire raises his finger and Nabi has to go!
Afghanistan 235-6 (44.5), Rashid 1, Nabi 19, Bumrah 2-27 (7.5)
13:06 , Mike Jones
Rashid Khan is the new batter so Afghanistan’s two high profile players are now at the crease. He takes a risky single and brings Nabi back on strike.
Nabi swipes Bumrah away for four runs!
Wicket! Najibullah Zadran ct Virat Kohli b Jasprit Bumrah 2 (8), Afghanistan 229-6 (44.2)
13:04 , Mike Jones
Out! Najib tries to accelerate and loops the ball into the offside where Virat Kohli comes running in off the boundary to take the catch.
Afghanistan are floundering at the death.
Afghanistan 229-5 (44.1), Najib 2, Nabi 15, Bumrah 1-21 (7.1)
13:02 , Mike Jones
Jaspit Bumrah has three overs left and can bowl half of the remaining six for India. He’s been very economical so far but will want to pick up a couple more wickets...
Afghanistan 229-5 (44), Najib 2, Nabi 15, Jadeja 0-35 (7)
13:00 , Mike Jones
Ravindra Jadeja comes back into the attack and is worked away for three runs from his first five deliveries. Najib comes down the pitch on the final ball but can only collect one.
Four from the over.
Afghanistan 225-5 (43), Najib 0, Nabi 13, Kuldeep 1-40 (10)
12:58 , Mike Jones
Najibullah Zadran is the new batter and blocks out the last two balls from Kuldeep’s last over. The leg spinner finishes with 1-40 from his 10.
That’s a good return.
Wicket! Hashmatullah Shahidi lbw Kuldeep Yadav 80 (88), Afghanistan 225-5 (42.4)
12:55 , Mike Jones
Gone! Kuldeep Yadav gets the big one!
Trying to force the issue, Hashmatullah Shahidi reverse sweeps at a straight one from Kuldeep. He misses the ball and is trapped bang in front of the stumps.
It’s plum.
Afghanistan 225-4 (42.3), Shahidi 80, Nabi 13, Kuldeep 0-40 (9.3)
12:53 , Mike Jones
Eight overs to go in the innings, what can Afghanistan finish on?
Kuldeep Yadav is going to bowl out his allotment with Nabi content to turn over the strike to his captain. Shahidi is trying to get Kuldeep away to the boundary but a couple of dot balls follow...
Afghanistan 224-4 (42), Shahidi 80, Nabi 12, Siraj 0-56 (7)
12:51 , Mike Jones
Here comes Siraj. He’s still searching for his first wicket of the match and has four men on the legside boundary for Mohammad Nabi who smokes the ball out to the man at deep midwicket for one.
Afghanistan are looking to score off every ball. Four singles and a two come from the over before Shahidi rolls on top of a slower ball and guides the ball to the boundary for four!
Big over for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan 214-4 (41), Shahidi 72, Nabi 10, Kuldeep 0-39 (9)
12:45 , Mike Jones
Kuldeep will bowl his ninth over. This has been a decent day for the leg-spinner so far and he’ll want to close it out well.
Shahidi drops low to reverse sweep the spinner and gets one before Nabi picks up a run of his own. India now have five fielders on the boundary meaning things will be difficult for Afghanistan, especially if they want to go big.
Hashmatullah Shahidi sweeps Kuldeep away and hobbles to the other end of the pitch. It looks as though he’s picked up a bit of cramp.
The Afghanistan captain is okay to play on.
Afghanistan 211-4 (40), Shahidi 70, Nabi 9, Thakur 1-31 (6)
12:40 , Mike Jones
Short from Thakur, four for Shahidi! That’s just how Afghanistan wanted to start this over.
Thakur the goes full and Shahidi drills him into the cover only for Ishan Kishan to deny him a boundary with a wonderful diving stop. Shahidi turns the next ball into the legside and takes one.
Some poor fielding from India allows the batters to scramble through for a couple more runs. Seven come from the over with 10 left in the innings.
Afghanistan 204-4 (39), Shahidi 65, Nabi 7, Kuldeep 0-36 (8)
12:35 , Mike Jones
Kuldeep Yadav is brought back into the attack and Shahidi immediately comes down the pitch to meet the ball just as it pitches. Kuldeep is up to the task though and varies his pace, sending down three dot balls in a row.
A wild swipe from Shahidi brings him one and leaves Nabi with a couple of deliveries to try and up the score. He can’t, Afghanistan are becalmed at the minute.
Afghanistan 203-4 (38), Shahidi 64, Nabi 7, Thakur 1-24 (5)
12:32 , Mike Jones
Shardul Thakur has a few overs left up his sleeve and is brought back on by India captain, Rohit Sharma. Nabi flicks him away for a single to bring his captain back on strike.
There’s still plenty of time in this innings and if Afghanistan can bat all of their overs they will have a decent total to defend.
Good over from Thakur, just two runs from it.
Afghanistan 201-4 (37), Shahidi 63, Nabi 6, Hardik 2-43 (7)
12:26 , Mike Jones
Mohammad Nabi is taking on the role of accummulator. He’s nudging the ball around and taking ones and twos when they’re on offer.
The bulk of the scoring will need to come from Shahidi while Nabi settles. He’s playing more aggressively but not taking unecessary risks to find the boundary.
Running through for one off a wide brings up Afghanistan’s 200. From here, every run is a bonus for the batting side. Can they work their way up to 300?
Afghanistan 194-4 (36), Shahidi 62, Nabi 4, Kuldeep 0-35 (7)
12:22 , Mike Jones
Five runs come from Kuldeep’s latest over. Afghanistan need to time it right for their next assault on the India bowlers. They don’t have many good batters left in the hutch so these two will need to score the bulk of the remaining runs.
270 plus should be the total in mind.
Afghanistan 189-4 (35), Shahidi 60, Nabi 1, Hardik 2-37 (6)
12:18 , Mike Jones
Mohammad Nabi comes to the crease for Afghanistan at the young age of 38-years-old. Despite the wicket, Afghanistan take nine runs from the over.
Shahidi needs to continue attacking while, Nabi gets himself set at the crease.
Wicket! Azmatullah Omarzai b Hardik Pandya 62 (69), Afghanistan 184-4 (34.2)
12:15 , Mike Jones
The partnership is broken! Hardik Pandya does the trick. He’s smoked away for four runs before slowing down the pace of the next delivery.
Azmat looks to guide the ball away, misses it and sees his off stump knocked back.
Afghanistan 180-3 (34), Shahidi 56, Azmat 58, Kuldeep 0-31 (6)
12:12 , Mike Jones
Six more! Kuldeep Yadav comes back into the attack and Azmat goes after him. He steps down the pitch and whacks the leg-spinner into the stands for a maximum.
Seven runs come from Kuldeep’s return as Afghanistan look to up the tempo.
Afghanistan 173-3 (33), Shahidi 56, Azmat 51, Hardik 1-28 (5)
12:07 , Mike Jones
These two batters have slowly built their innings and are now in a position to kick on for Afghanistan. The quicker they can get the team over 200 the better off they’ll be for the back end of the innings.
Hardik Pandya is brought back on and two singles bring up the 100 partnership from 119 deliveries.
A short ball is spanked away by Hashmatuallah Shahidi who cuts the ball to the boundary and brings up his own half-century!
What a shot! Shahidi ramps Hardik over the wicketkeeper and sends the ball away for six runs. 12 from the over.
Afghanistan 161-3 (32), Shahidi 45, Azmat 50, Siraj 0-46 (6)
12:02 , Mike Jones
Azmat inches his way towards a well deserved half-century with a single before Shahidi dinks the ball down to fine leg for four more runs!
The batters are set now and things could start to slip away from India if these two bat to the end of the innings.
Azmatullah Omarzai goes to 50! He pushes the ball into the legside and takes two. Well batted.
Afghanistan 153-3 (31), Shahidi 40, Azmat 47, Bumrah 1-21 (7)
11:59 , Mike Jones
The last 10 overs has seen Afghanistan score at a run-rate of 6.4rpo. If they keep it up over the next 20 overs they’ll have a total that can be defended.
Bumrah continues and is milked for a couple of singles.
Four runs! A great end to the over sees Shahidi drill Bumrah through the offside for a boundary. Six from the over. The 150 comes up for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan 147-3 (30), Shahidi 35, Azmat 46, Siraj 0-38 (5)
11:51 , Mike Jones
Mohammed Siraj comes back into the attack and is met with a welcome from Azmatullah Omarzai who smokes him away for four runs before taking a single to get off strike.
Not to be undone Shahidi dispatches Siraj to the boundary and ends the over with a single. 10 runs come from it in total.
Afghanistan 137-3 (29), Shahidi 30, Azmat 41, Bumrah 1-15 (6)
11:45 , Mike Jones
The annoying thing for Afghanistan is that they haven’t been able to properly push up the run-rate. With two batters now set they need to look to be pushing it above sixes or sevens an over to really set a challenging target.
At the minute it is still under fives. Bumrah is starting to mix things up with slower balls and yorkers but India still can’t break this partnership.
Afghanistan 133-3 (28), Shahidi 29, Azmat 40, Jadeja 0-31 (6)
11:40 , Mike Jones
The pace at which Jadeja bowls has brought India back under the time threshold for the overs bowled. Sharma asks him to continue but Azmat whacks the left-armer into the stands for six!
Four singles and a two also come from the over which goes for 12. Another good one for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan 121-3 (27), Shahidi 27, Azmat 30, Bumrah 1-12 (5)
11:36 , Mike Jones
Rohit Sharma has seen enough. He brings Jasprit Bumrah back on to break this partnership which has the potential to hurt India.
Shahidi works the ball through square leg and takes a single. Azmat meanwhile pulls Bumrah into the deep midwicket boundary and calls his captain through for a couple of runs.
Three from the over.
Afghanistan 118-3 (26), Shahidi 26, Azmat 28, Jadeja 0-19 (5)
11:32 , Mike Jones
Rohit Sharma calls the batters’ bluff and keeps the same field for India asking the Afghan batters to take on the left-arm spinner.
Shahidi works him away for a couple of runs before the batters rotate the strike for two more. Only four runs come from the over but the batters look more determined to score now.
Afghanistan 114-3 (25), Shahidi 25, Azmat 25, Kuldeep 0-23 (5)
11:30 , Mike Jones
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)
11:26 , Mike Jones
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)
11:22 , Mike Jones
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)
11:19 , Mike Jones
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)
11:15 , Mike Jones
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)
11:12 , Mike Jones
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)
11:10 , Mike Jones
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)
11:06 , Mike Jones
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)
11:04 , Mike Jones
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)
11:00 , Mike Jones
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.
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