Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah Guide India To 47-Run Victory Over Afghanistan

Suryakumar Yadav played fearlessly on a testing surface before India tightened the noose around Afghanistan with a clinical bowling performance to script a commanding 47-run win in their opening Super 8 fixture of the T20 World Cup on Thursday. Rashid Khan (3/26) improved his ordinary record against India before Suryakumar (53 off 28) played like he only can to take his team to 181 for 8 after India decided to bat on a surface where it was difficult to hit through the line. Afghanistan were never in the run chase and folded up for 134 in exactly 20 overs. The questionable shot selection from the Afghan batters contributed to their downfall, extending their winless run against India.

Jasprit Bumrah (3/7 in four overs) was too good for the opposition again while Kuldeep Yadav (2/32), playing his first game of the tournament, also made an impact.

India's next Super 8 fixture against Bangladesh will take place in in Antigua on Saturday.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (11 off 8), who announced his intent with a six and four off Arshdeep Singh, went for a rash shot against Bumrah in the second over of the innings to be caught behind.

Hazratullah Zazai, brought into the squad in place of the injured Mujeeb Zadran, was Bumrah's next victim as his attempted flick off a cutter from the Indian pace spearhead went straight into the safe hands of Ravindra Jadeja at backward point.

Kuldeep, who replaced Mohammed Siraj in the playing eleven, operated in the middle overs and sent back Gulbadin Naib (17) with a wrong one in the 11th over.

Azmatullah Omarzai (26 off 20) was the top-scored for Afghanistan. The fall of wickets through the innings did not allow Afghanistan to get back in the game.

Earlier, Suryakumar was back to his nonchalant best and