That’s it from us today. We’ll be back tomorrow to OBO like it is 1999 as Australia and South Africa go head to head in Lucknow. Nobody mention ‘dropping the World Cup’ or that run out. Thanks for your company and comments, goodnight.
Winning captain and player of the match Rohit Sharma:
It was a good win for us, ot is very important to get momentum at the start. You will be put under pressure, there will be a spell from the opposition at some point and we’ll have to absorb it.
We’ve got players with different skillsets bringing different attributes which is good for the team. We’ve got batters who play freely and fearlessly and when you have all-round players, things take care of themselves.
On that record breaking innings Rohit said:
It was a good pitch to bat on and I backed myself to play my natural game. I knew that the wicket would get easier once I’d got my eye in…
It is special to get a World Cup hundred and I’m very happy but I don’t want to think about records too much because there’s a long way to go and I don’t want to lose my focus. I just want to make it count on days like this… some of my play is premeditated but you can’t just go out and play big shots, sometimes, you go by instinct. It’s often a mixture of both.
I know it’s my responsibility to give the team a good start and put the team in a good position as much as possible. It’s something I’ve done for a while and love doing, it looks good when it works out! It doesn’t always come off but I want to back myself to keep trying and put pressure on the opposition.
Losing captain Hashmatullah Shahidi speaks:
We had above 300 as a target in mind but unfortunately we lost back-to-back wickets in the middle. Our thinking at the toss was that it was a good pitch and we wanted to put up big runs. We hope to work on the issues and come back positively and we are looking forward to the seven more games.
So India complete the win with 15 overs and 8 wickets to spare, they are under such intense pressure as favourites in a home world cup but showed no sign of nerves in Delhi this evening. Jasprit Bumrah impressed with the ball, pocketing four wickets for 39 and he was well supported by Hardik Pandya, Thakur and Yadav. Afghanistan mustered a half-decent total but in the end Rohit’s sublime century made the result a foregone conclusion after only the first ten overs of the response. Virat Kohli came in to finish the job and send his home crowd into raptures with an effortless fifty.
Most sixes in international cricket ✅
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) October 11, 2023
Most hundreds in Cricket World Cup history ✅
Fastest-ever Cricket World Cup hundred by an Indian ✅
Rohit Sharma eclipsed several records during his 131 👊#CWC23 #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/4tJNgAX8i6
Updated
India win by 8 wickets!
Kohli does indeed reach his 68th ODI fifty with a pull off Azmatullah and a lofted drive back over the bowler’s head to finish the match!
That was a drubbing for Afghanistan, they will surely rue the decision to bring Rashid Khan on in the 15th over, long after India had taken a huge chunk out of the 272 run target. India were truly imperious with the bat, Rohit Sharma in jaw-dropping form – the emphatic pulls and lofted drives a joy to watch.
Virat Kohli finishes the game with a four, India win by 8 wickets! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/T0G9c7nHrs
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 11, 2023
Updated
34th over: Kohli 44, Iyer 24 (India 261-2) Iyer whacks Farooqi for four, India need 12 more runs and Kohli needs six of them to go to his squillionth white ball fifty…
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33rd over: Kohli 43, Iyer 19 (India 255-2) Cowabunga! Shreyas Iyer hits Mujeeb miles over long on to take the crown for biggest six of the tournament so far – the ICC trundle wheel clocks it as a 101 metre beast. Ones and twos are pocketed by Kohli and Iyer to make it 11 runs off the over and India are just 18 runs away now.
32nd over: Kohli 40, Iyer 11 (India 244-2) Farooqi returns and is picked off for five singles from his over. Kohli’s bat sounds like a canon blasting away in a bubblewrap factory, such a satisfying crunch whenever he strikes the ball. Only the best willow for Virat, don’t think he has to shop the sales at the local sports shop.
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31st over: Kohli 38, Iyer 8 (India 239-2) just a couple of runs as Mujeeb atones slightly for his wild previous over.
KLANG! We interrupt this OBO…
Whilst there is ever such a brief lull in the run fest, forgive me for plugging The Nightwatchman Podcast. Created by myself and Jon Hotten (one of the most evocative writers on cricket/sport/anything and in possession of graspable coat tails…) a new series has just landed and should be bang in in the sweetspot/wheelhouse of OBO followers. Why not give it a whirl?
🎺 NUMBER ONE 🏏
— The Nightwatchman (@NightwatchmanXI) October 11, 2023
Thanks to everyone who has listened/downloaded/shared so far!
All episodes from Series 1&2 are available wherever you get your podcasts
🍎: https://t.co/FkKYV2IdH2
🟢: https://t.co/jgdXHnxxMB@theoldbatsman @Jimbo_Cricket @RathbonesGroup pic.twitter.com/WIgnixL2oG
30th over: Kohli 37, Iyer 7 (India 237-2) Five singles off Rashid Khan. Not for me, I like it.
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29th over: Kohli 34, Iyer 5 (India 232-2) The wheels are coming off for Afghanistan, Mujeeb starts to spray it around like a busted garden hose. Eleven runs off the over including five wides down the leg side.
Enjoy this one:
25m high 🆙
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) October 11, 2023
93m long 🙌
Rohit Sharma at his very best today!#BBCCricket #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/r1q9vRmSTw
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28th over: Kohli 30, Iyer 4 (India 221-2) Rashid Khan continues and is hit for nine off his latest over. The spinner drops a smidge short and Kohli times him away for four through the leg side. Kohli and Iyer are happy to rotate strike, this is so over. The mind starts to drift towards India’s next game – against Pakistan at the 130,000 seater stadium in Ahmedabad. Crikes.
27th over: Kohli 24, Iyer 1 (India 212-2) Shot! Azmatullah is worked away through mid-wicket by Kohli, a pulsating boundary to a decent ball. The two men share an embrace later in the over that is replayed on the big screen to much swooning.
WICKET! Rohit Sharma b Rashid Khan 131 (India 205-2)
Rohit finally falls! Rashid castles him with a flipper that skids past his attempted sweep shot but the match is all but done thanks to a regal innings form the Indian opener. Shreyas Iyer is the new man and he gets off the mark right away with a clip to leg.
26th over: Kohli 19, Iyer (India 207-2)
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25th over: Sharma 130, Kohli 16 (India 202-1) Azmatullah Omarzai into the attack and he’s met with the flourishing blade of Virat Kohli. A length ball is pounced upon by Kohli and swivelled away in front of square for four.
24th over: Sharma 130, Kohli 11 (India 197-1) Naveen is picked off for three runs off his latest, a brief over of respite. India need only 78 more runs and they’ve not even got to half way in the overs.
23rd over: Sharma 130, Kohli 9 (India 194-1) Rohit in a hurry! Rashid Khan is dispatched for back-to-back fours and then whipped emphatically into the crowd off the next ball for a huge SIX! That was some shot and it is Rashid Khan that Rohit is taking to pieces here, one of the very best with a white ball in hand. The Afghanistan players are bystanders, they can only stand and stare at the cosmic trails emanating from Rohit Sharma’s blade.
22nd over: Sharma 115, Kohli 8 (India 178-1) Rohit pounces on a slower ball by Naveen and picks up four more. India’s target is now less than 100 – they need 95 runs off 28 overs. You heard. I don’t think this is going to take very long, call it a hunch.
21st over: Sharma 110, Kohli 8 (India 173-1) India are rattling along at over eight runs an over, they want to get this done in as quick as time as possible and give their NRR a shot in the bicep. Oooooh. Virat unfurls the most aesthetically pleasing cover drive for four that you could ever wish to see. The crowd let out a collective purr and then collapse into wild cheers.
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20th over: Sharma 108, Kohli 2 (India 164-1) The crowd were already loving Rohit’s pyrotechnics but the decibel level went stratospheric with the arrival of King Kohli. Rohit drives for four past mid-on, this is still his party for the time being.
Rohit Sharma's record at Cricket World Cups is incredible! 👏
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) October 11, 2023
He has overtaken Sachin Tendulkar with the most centuries at World Cups. 💯#BBCCricket #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/9gyYVbZP3z
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WICKET! Kishan c Ibrahim Zadran b Rashid Khan 47 (India 156-1)
Ishan Kishan falls to a leading edge, Afghanistan have their first but it is much too little, much too late. It was that man Rashid Khan who took it, his late introduction is very puzzling. Virat strolls out on his home ground to an absolutely THUNDEROUS reception.
19th over: Sharma 103, Kohli 1 (India 158-1)
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18th over: Sharma 101, Kishan 46 (India 154-0) Play continues after a slurp. Sharma glides for four to go to 99… and there is the century! Rohit Sharma scores his SEVENTH World Cup century, the most of any player. At just 63 balls, this is the fastest for India in a CWC too.
Fastest 100 in a CWC for India ⚡️💯 pic.twitter.com/oS5GQnhK4u
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 11, 2023
Nabi is then lofted away for six by Ishan Kishan. It was an attempted wrong’un by the bowler, “Picked him like a dirty nose” drawls Dirk Nannes on the commentary. Er, Lovely stuff.
Updated
17th over: Sharma 95, Kishan 38 (India 140-0) Five more collected from Rashid Khan’s over, a fizzing googly rips past Rohit’s edge and Rashid is excited for a moment but decides wisely against a review. Time for a drink – India coasting.
Love Rashid Khan but can't get my head around his reluctance to bowl in the Powerplay
— Matt Roller (@mroller98) October 11, 2023
India 125 for 0 in pursuit of 273 when he eventually comes on in the 15th over - with the required rate down at 4.11 from an initial 5.46
16th over: Sharma 93, Kishan 35 (India 135-0) Five off Nabi’s over, he blots his copybook with a drag down that is smeared for four by Ishan.
15th over: Sharma 92, Kishan 31 (India 130-0) Finally it is time for Rashid Khan. He starts well enough, getting some zip and turn off the wicket. Rohit and Ishan are slightly more watchful and pick up five from the over. Afghanistan need a miracle form their champion bowler here but the horse has long since bolted, it’s whinnying in a field far far away.
Updated
14th over: Sharma 88, Kishan 30 (India 125-0) The boundaries continue to rain through the Delhi night, Ishan whacks Mujeeb square of the wicket and knocks a single to bring Sharma on strike. Sharma then shows his touch by glancing a full ball on his pads fine for four before opening his broad shoulders next ball and pummelling a drive down the ground. Markram’s record might be safe for now but Rohit is still on for a rapid and remarkable ton.
13th over: Sharma 79, Kishan 25 (India 111-0) Ishan Kishan comes to life – a four past backward point and a slog sweep for six into the crowd. Surely time for Rashid Khan, where is he? His team need him to stem the flow at the very least.
Mid over chats must be fun.
— Cameron Ponsonby (@cameronponsonby) October 11, 2023
"Yeah, bit two paced, tough to time it."
"It's flat as fuck mate." pic.twitter.com/bQ5QyxEIRl
Updated
12th over: Sharma 79, Kishan 14 (India 100-0) India bring up the hundred in just the 12th over and for the loss of precisely zero wickets. Four runs off the over, Mujeeb has settled into a decent spell. STAT ALERT:
New World Cup record... Rohit's 79 is the most runs scored by one player out of the first 100 scored by their team (men's and women's WCs). Previously: 76, McCullum for NZ v England in 2015; and Davison for Canada v WI in 2003.
— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) October 11, 2023
11th over: Sharma 77, Kishan 112 (India 96-0) Well played Mohammad Nabi, as the next powerplay begins he restricts the Indian openers to just two runs off the over.
🚨 DEALING IN RECORDS 🚨
— ICC (@ICC) October 11, 2023
Rohit Sharma has hit the most sixes in international cricket 💥#CWC23 pic.twitter.com/KBU7NfUAnw
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10th over: Sharma 76, Kishan 11 (India 94-0) Mujeeb with his third over and seven runs are taken off it as things calm down a smidge. Kishan is at the other end on 11, he’s just been watching his opening partner club it to all parts for the past half an hour. Rohit calls for a new bat, the other one was obviously not working for him… and smashes a four through square off the final ball as Mujeeb loses his length. Still on for that record…
Updated
9th over: Sharma 71, Kishan 10 (India 87-0) Right then, Aidan Markram’s 49 ball century from the other day might be in danger here. Rohit launches the biggest six of the tournament so far (93 metres, it looked bigger) and follows it up with a drive for four more over mid-off. The Hitman goes to 71 off 38 balls.
Updated
8th over: Sharma 60, Kishan 10 (India 75-0) Rohit goes to his 53rd ODI fifty with a drive for four through mid-on. The crowd go bananas as he raises his bat bashfully. SIX! Rohit hits a huge maximum with his signature pull shot and with that mighty blow the Indian opener goes to the top of the pile - pipping Chris Gayle – for the most international sixes!
🚨 Rohit Sharma becomes the leading six-hitter in international cricket 🚨
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 11, 2023
A rapid half-century against Afghanistan sees the India captain go past Chris Gayle's record in all Test, ODI and T20I cricket.#CWC2023 #INDvsAFG pic.twitter.com/EcAgJQrnZc
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7th over: Sharma 49, Kishan 10 (India 64-0) SEVENTEEN runs blitzed off the over in imperious fashion. Rohit clips Farooqi over mid-off for four and follows up with a slash past point. Best of the lot is a monstrous SIX off a tame short ball, Farooqi went for a slower ball bouncer and it sat up like an inquisitive meerkat on a Chaise Longue. BOSH. Rohit launched it into the stands!
6th over: Sharma 32, Kishan 10 (India 47-0) Naveen ul Haq starts from around the wicket and is basted for ten runs off his first over. Kishan coming to the party with a glance for four and four leg byes off a poorly directed full ball. India rollocking along in Delhi.
“Afternoon James” and to you Dennis Hamer!
“Two twos... a ballerina? A Desmond? (To reprise the old 90s, possibly 80s, slang for a lower second class degree). Good luck to the Afghans today!” I prefer a couple of Roger’s, Den.
Updated
5th over: Sharma 31, Kishan 5 (India 37-0) Rohit goes to 1000 runs in World Cups (in his 19th match) with a lofted drive for SIX! A big OBO badge of respect if you can name the only man to get to the milestone in the same amount of innings? (AB de Villiers and Sachin both did it in 20 – slowcoaches)
More boundaries as Farooqi wilts under the pressure, a drag down is biffed behind square and a full ball is sent soaring over extra-cover. India looking to get this done quickly, NRR could well be a prominent player in this tournament.
4th over: Sharma 17, Kishan 5 (India 23-0) Kishan opens his account with a delightful cover drive, threaded through the infield for a boundary. Mujeeb then drags down and is hoicked away square by Rohit. Two singles make it ten off the over. Not the pressure cooker start Afghanistan wanted.
3rd over: Sharma 12, Kishan (India 13-0) Farooqi strays onto Rohit’s pads and is whistled to the fence at square leg for the first boundary of the innings. Another delivery at the hip is clipped for two and Rohit looks in silken touch. Afghanistan need to get rid of him sharp-ish if they are to give themselves a sniff.
2nd over: Sharma 6, Kishan (India 7-0) Rohit collects a brace of twos (Roger?) off Mujeeb and brings Kishan on strike with a single. Good hustle from the offie, two dots finish the over, one of them whizzed down at 102kph – 63 mph in old money.
1st over: Sharma 1, Kishan (India 2-0) A perky start from Farooqi, he bustles in and sends the ball down at a decent lick. Rohit gets underway with a stylish clip off the hip but the only other run off the over is a wide, tidy stuff from the Afghan pacer. Mujeeb Ur Rahman is going to start from t’other end, he skittled Rohit with a beauty in the 2019 tournament down at the Ageas bowl. Expect silence in Delhi if off-spin lightning strikes twice.
The sky looks to be ink black now in Delhi and the floodlights are beating down to full effect. The crowd has filled up too, there’s a crackle in the atmosphere as Rohit and Ishan Kishan stroll out to the wicket. The camera zooms in on Rashid Khan – what does he have up those magician sleeves? Fazalhaq Farooqi has the ball in his hand with a slip in place. PLAY!
On the tellybox, Sky are showing a nice little documentary about India’s triumph at Lord’s in the 1983 tournament. Jonathan Liew of this very parish pops up as a talking head and so does a fantastically feather haired Mark Nicholas, vowels as unctuous as they ever were.
Athankya Daniel and hello everyone. Now then, do we have a game on our hands here? 272 is a tricksy total, especially if Afghanistan winkle out a few early wickets, you just never know. Then again, there has been a real lack of tight games so far in the early stages of this world cup… will there be a flurry of wickets and squeaky bums or are we be about to witness an Indian cakewalk? The chase will be underway shortly. Join us!
Righto, my watch is over – thanks for your company and comments – and here’s Jim Wallace to croon you through a chase which may or may not feature V Kohli batting in front of his home crowd.
Between-innings reading:
Azmatullah is happy with his knock and his team’s score. They’d have liked 300, but with the quality of spinner they have, reckons Afghanistan are in the match.
Afghanistan will, I imagine, have hoped to make more than 272, but they couldn’t find any momentum at the death after losing their big hitters – ultimately, they just don’t have the batters yet. They do, though, have some useful bowlers so, though it’d be a major shock if India don’t chase them down, if they can build pressure, this isn’t a gimme.
Afghanistan set India 273 to win!
50th over Afghanistan 272-8 (Mujeeb 11, Naveen 9) Siraj will finish off and Afghanistan will want at least 10 off this final over. Siraj then incites two plays-and-misses before Naveen forces over his head for two … and backs away to intimate the drive before open the face, improbably cutting a length-ball for four to deep third. Two leg-byes follow, and that’s the innings!
49th over Afghanistan 264-8 (Mujeeb 10, Naveen 3) Kohli goes to field on the fence and the crowd chant his name, then Naveen twizzles two to fine leg. India are still behind the over-rate and run out of time after the fifth ball of the over so a man must come inside the circle; Bumrah hits a Test-match line and length to preserve his dot. He finishes with 4-39 off 10, his best World Cup figures – so far.
WICKET! Rashid Khan c Kuldeep Yadav c Bumrah 16 (Afghanistan 261-8)
Rashid goes again and swipes high into the air, Kuldeep running in and Jadeja running back; for a second it looks like they might collide, then the former drops, dives … and holds, really well, considering his life flashing before his eyes will have obscured his vision.
Updated
48th over Afghanistan 261-7 (Rashid Khan 16, Mujeeb 10) Siraj is back knowing he’s under a bit of pressure and, after ceding singles from his first two balls, Rashid stands up straight to slice behind square on the off side for four – that’s more like it. And have a look! Next ball he backs away, gives himself room, and a prodigious swing sends six over point! Twelve from the over with two to come and, when ducking under a leg-side bouncer that’s clearly a wide, Rashid still waves bat above head seeking to impart a touch that’ll send the ball to the fence. He misses, a single follows, and with two overs to go, Afghanistan still have a chance to set something competitive.
Updated
47th over Afghanistan 247-7 (Rashid Khan 4, Mujeeb 9) Between overs, they play Rema’s Calm Down – the single of 2022 by so far it’s embarrassing – so a question: what is its verse and what is its chorus? I’m still not sure. Meantime, Rashid eases one to backward point, then Mujeeb clubs a cross-batter down the ground for four – just past Bumrah’s right hand – before, trying to get out the way of the bowler’s riposte, somehow one-hands around the corner for four more. Afghanistan needed that.
46th over Afghanistan 238-7 (Rashid Khan 3, Mujeeb 1) I hate to say it, but Afghanistan are almost definitely done. They’ve done a decent job of keeping this social but realistically, it’s unlikely to seem that way when India bat and three singles off this latest Jadeja over do not change that. They just don’t have the batting depth to keep scoring quickly with a few down, which prevents them from properly going after it at the top of the innings.
REVIEW! OUT!
Umpire’s call on accuracy, the ball tickling leg, and every time Afghanistan have looked in the match, India have struck.
WICKET! Nani lbw b Bumrah 19 (Afghanistan 235-7)
Nabi looks to turn away into the on side, misses, and wears one on the knee-roll. He might be saved by line, and the ball was slanting across him…
46th over Afghanistan 235-6 (Nabi 19, Rashid Khan 1) Bumrah greets the dangerous Rashid with a wide and a single follows, then Nabi spanks an off-cutter through point for four.
Updated
WICKET! Zadran N c Kohli b Bumrah 2 (Afghanistan 229-6)
Najib goes at Bumrah but doesn’t realise this one’s a little slower, so he has to generate all the pace himself, doesn’t get all of the ball, and slices a skier to deep cover. That might be the crucial blow.
45th over Afghanistan 229-5 (Nabi 15, Najib 2) Bumrah returns – i’m not sure that was the plan – and I wonder if Siraj, who’s gone at eight an over so far, might lose his place to Shami for the next match against Pakistan. That’ll be a quiet night in at the library – not! ... I don’t think!.
Updated
44th over Afghanistan 229-5 (Nabi 15, Najib 2) Now it’s Jadeja returning, and he rushes through an over which suggests that last wicket was one too many for Afghanistan. Four singles come from it, and at this stage, that’s not enough or even close to enough.
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43rd over Afghanistan 225-5 (Nabi 13, Najib 0) Two dots end Kuldeep’s spell, and 1-40 off his 10 is a decent return.
Updated
REVIEW! OUT!
Pitched on off, was hitting middle-and-off. Great innings, but can Afghanistan make something of it
WICKET! Hashmatullah Shahidi lbw b Yadav 80 (Afghanistan 225-5)
Hashmat tries a reverse, misses, and weat the ball in the back thigh, a real sair yin. He reviews but because what else can he do not because he thinks he might be in – that was plumb.
Updated
43rd over Afghanistan 225-4 (Hashmatullah 80, Nabi 13) This is a proper captain’s knock from Hashmat, but can he finish it off? Nabi takes a single from Kuldeep’s first ball, so he’s got a further five in which to make something happen…
Updated
42nd over Afghanistan 224-4 (Hashmatullah 80, Nabi 12) India are one behind on the over-rate so could use some quick changes – though with a fair bit of spin still to come, they should be able to turn things around. Anyroad, Siraj returns knowing he’s not had a good innings and after two singles open the over, Hashmatullah makes space before skipping down and pulling two more. Then, just as I’m scrolling down to check when we last saw a boundary so I can wisely revelate that some are necessary, Hashmat times a flick around the corner, earning four through fine leg. That’s a really good shot, and his team really needed it from him.
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41st over Afghanistan 214-4 (Hashmatullah 72, Nabi 10) Hashmatullah takes one into the off side, then Nabi tries to turn the ball into an ex-ball, unloading the suitcase at a sweep to fine leg; they run one more. But when Hashmatullah forces to deep square, he limps through and goes down – let’s hope it’s just cramp – so out comes the physio. A dot then follows, Nabi missing with a cut, and did he step out of his ground as Rahul smashed off the bails? He did not, but India have nevertheless quietened this down just as Afghanistan were getting loud.
Updated
40th over Afghanistan 211-4 (Hashmatullah 70, Nabi 9) …and bosh! Hashmatullah comes down and wipes over midwicket for four. And he goes again too, flowing to cover, where Kishan makes a superb diving stop that turns four into a dot. The batters, though, keep coming, a single to point keeping the score ticking before Nabi flicks to square leg … and, when the throw in is too hard for Rahul to catch, the absence of a fielder backing-up doubles one to two.
39th over Afghanistan 204-4 (Hashmatullah 65, Nabi 7) Currently, Hashmatullah’s 64* means he’s fourth in the list of Afghanistan’s highest World Cup scores; top is Saimullah Shinwari, who made 96 against Scotland in 2015. But there’s a lot to do between here and there, Kuldeep returning to the attack and sending down another tight one, just one from it, that means it’s three off the last two. Shardul will be well aware of that as he prepares to run in…
38th over Afghanistan 203-4 (Hashmatullah 64, Nabi 7) Shardul returns and I’d expect the batters to go at him – if they can get up towards 300, we could see something here. But this is a decent over that cedes just two singles, and Afghanistan ned to decide of they trust what’s to come, or if they want this pair to bat most of the remaining overs.
37th over Afghanistan 201-4 (Hashmatullah 63, Nabi 6) Hardik begins with a wide, then after two singles, hits the pad as Nabi comes down; too high, reckons Rohit when the appeal is rejected, and the batters run a leg bye. A wide follows and they run on Rahul’s miss to make it two, raising the 200 in the process, then Nabi takes a single to midwicket making it seven from an over that seemed quiet.
“Just been reminded on Sky of Afghanistan’s one wicket victory over Scotland in Dunedin in 2015,” writes Simon McMahon. “The avoidable loss to Bangladesh in Edinburgh in 1999 springs to mind too. And let’s not even mention the defeat to Netherlands in the qualifying tournament this year which eliminated the Scots on NRR. Scotland and World Cups (not just cricket, of course) have a somewhat difficult relationship. And with the return to 14 teams in 2027, the chance to once more snatch defeat from the jaws of victory might be very much alive…”
Wait till Peru and Costs Rica start taking the game seriously.
36th over Afghanistan 194-4 (Hashmatullah 62, Nabi 4) Now they’re hitting boundaries, Afghanistan’s singles mean so much more – especially if they come with aggressive intent that forces Rohit to think about his fields and his attack. After Nabi gets off the mark with one, Hashmatullah pulls hard to midwicket, almost earning four but having to settle for another one, then a further three follow.
35th over Afghanistan 189-4 (Hashmatullah 60, Nabi 1) The runs continue flowing, Hashmatullah waiting for a wide one and cutting wide of third for four more! Nine runs and a wicket from the over.
WICKET! Azmatullah b Pandya 62 (Afghanistan 184-4)
India needed that, A slower off-cutter sticks in the pitch and Azmatullah is through the shot way too quickly, missing the ball entirely. Tharas a fine innings, but in breaking that partnership have India broken the match?
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35th over Afghanistan 184-3 (Hashmatullah 56, Azmatullah 58) Now then! Hardik’s first ball strays straight and Azmatullah flows him through midwicket for four!
Updated
34th over Afghanistan 180-3 (Hashmatullah 56, Azmatullah 51) Are Afghanistan Pakistan 92ing this? They’ve built their platform and now they’re dancing on it, Kuldeep replacing Siraj and seeing his second delivery shmiessed over long on for six! Seven off the over, the partnership 117, and India badly need a wicket. Can Rohit come up with something?
33rd over: Afghanistan 173-3 (Hashmatullah 56, Azmatullah 51) Pandya replaces Bumrah and, after two singles, Hashmatullah extends arms to cut hard, at the top of the bounce, earning four and raising his fifty; well batted him too. And what’s this?! Pandya bangs in and Hashmat reclines, leaning back to watch ball onto face, sending a glorious uppercut over keeper and fence for six! Happy birthday Hardik! We’re getting warm here, and is something happening?!
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32nd over: Afghanistan 161-3 (Hashmatullah 45, Azmatullah 50) The batters fancy Siraj, Azmatullah taking one then Hashmatullah jumping … to force into the ground and away, between keeper and slip; four. A single follows, then Azmatullah flips around the corner for two raising his fifty in the process; well batted sir. The rate is now up to 5.03, and if this pari can stamp on the gas, we could be watching something very special.
31st over: Afghanistan 153-3 (Hashmatullah 40, Azmatullah 47) Bumrah starts from around to the lefty Hashmatullah, who twizzles a single behind square on the on side. A further single follows, then a play and miss at a slower one, so another decent over for India … but then Hashmatullah, stood outside his crease, picks a shorter, wider one and hurls hands, a slower one lashed through point for four. The partnership is 90.
30th over: Afghanistan 147-3 (Hashmatullah 35, Azmatullah 46) Siraj returns and Azmatullah premeditates a welcome back, coming down to hoik over the on side for four. A single follows, guided to cover, then four more, cut to deep third by Hashmatullah. Better from Afghanistan, who need these two to go big now, and that’s drinks.
29th over: Afghanistan 137-3 (Hashmatullah 30, Azmatullah 41) One of Afghanistan’s problems is that they’ve struggled to sustain pressure: it’s all very well taking Jadeja for 12, but what can they do with this next over from Bumrah? Well, two singles is the answer and even though a no ball and a leg bye also feature, India will be happy with four runs conceded.
28th over: Afghanistan 133-3 (Hashmatullah 29, Azmatullah 40) Hashmatullah cuts one to point then, when Jadeja goes fuller, Azmatullah steps down, gets down, stretches, and forces over fielder and fence for six – just. Coming early in the over, that puts the bowler under pressure, and three singles plus a two mean the over yields 12. Afghanistan need a few more like that and have wickets in hand – but do the men in the middle trust those to come?
27th over: Afghanistan 121-3 (Hashmatullah 27, Azmatullah 30) Those two sixes force Rohit to make a decision, and he replaces Kuldeep with Bumrah; just what Afghanistan need. Hashmatullah works his loosener to deep square for one, then Azamtullah muscles a bouncer to midwicket and they run two. The squeeze is back on, but with added force: Bumrah, bowling fuller than his previous spell, is hunting for wickets.
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26th over: Afghanistan 118-3 (Hashmatullah 26, Azmatullah 28) Azmatullah cuts Jadeja for two to deep point, then two singles follow meaning halfway through the over, a base has been built. Jadeja, though, isn;’t remotely arsed, responding with three dots, and he’s ceded just 19 runs from the first half of his spell.
25th over: Afghanistan 114-3 (Hashmatullah 25, Azmatullah 25) Now then! Hashmatullah takes a single, then Azmatullah waits for Kuldeep … to hoist him straight back down the ground for six. That’s more like it! And following a dot comes another, Azmatullah taking a stride this time to marmalise over long off. A single to cover then makes it 14 off the over, and have Afghanistan switched?
24th over: Afghanistan 100-3 (Hashmatullah 24, Azmatullah 12) An over of singles, the return better than most in recent times, but it’s hard to know what Afghanistan’s plan is here, because unless they do something significant and soon, they’ll likely have their lower-middle-order seeking to thrash something respectable when India’s quicks return.
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23rd over: Afghanistan 94-3 (Hashmatullah 21, Azmatullah 9) Azmatullah forces to long on and they run one, then folds in half taking one on the pad. There’s an appeal but I think the ball was going down and Rohit doesn’t review when the umpire says not out. It’s a good over this, Kuldeep varying pace and length to fox the batters, and I imagine Rohit will let this pair bowl until he’s forced to take one or t’other off – and if Afghanistan can’t make that happen, they’ll set a paltry target.
22nd over: Afghanistan 93-3 (Hashmatullah 21, Azmatullah 8) Jadeja goes full and Hashmatullah goes hard, down on one knee to top-edge a slog-sweep; it yields five because the umpire calls no ball, then the free hit is caught at mid on and they run a single. One more follows, and that’s seven off the over, much better from Afghanistan. Can they build on it?
21st over: Afghanistan 86-3 (Hashmatullah 16, Azmatullah 7) Hashmatullah directs to point, then Azamtullah flicks past the bowler’s dive for a single to long on. Another, nurdled square, follows, but the run rate is down to 4.10 now, and Afghanistan are in big trouble, the match trickling away from them.
20th over: Afghanistan 83-3 (Hashmatullah 14, Azmatullah 6) Hashmatullah takes one to cover, the only run from the over. And, though it makes perfect sense for Afghanistan to rebuild through this stage of the match, given Siraj and Bumrah are to return, it also makes perfect sense for them to try and accumulate now.
19th over: Afghanistan 82-3 (Hashmatullah 13, Azmatullah 6) Single to Hashmatullah, then Azmatullah cuts hard; but straight to the sweeper, meaning they run just one more – likewise when the skipper finds midwicket.
18th over: Afghanistan 79-3 (Hashmatullah 10, Azmatullah 5) And now it’s Jadeja from the other end, on to rush through his overs and spirit the innings away from Afghanistan before they’ve even noticed. The more I think about it, the more it’s Thakur and Pandya who had and have to go if the underdogs are to set a challenging target, because the squeeze is now on; Hashmatullah forces one to long on, the only run from the over.
17th over: Afghanistan 78-3 (Hashmatullah 10, Azmatullah 5) And here’s Kuldeep now, curly fringe swishing in the wind. I really like the way he skips into the crease, which gives him the pace to power through it, and he’s ripping it hard and fast, conceding just two singles in his opening over.
16th over: Afghanistan 76-3 (Hashmatullah 9, Azmatullah 4) Hashmatullah turns to leg and they run two; three singles follow and this is decent stuff from the batters. However, they know that they need a score to make India think and, with Jadeja and Yadav yet to bowl, now might be the time to cash in. The problem, of course, is the risk that if they go all out, they get skittled.
15th over: Afghanistan 70-3 (Hashmatullah 5, Azmatullah 2) Azmatullah drives one to cover, then Hashmatullah gets up on his tippy-toes to force two down the ground, Rohit chasing to save the boundary. India are squeezing here, knowing Afghanistan need to rebuild while scoring, and this next passage of play could well define the match.
14th over: Afghanistan 66-3 (Hashmatullah 2, Azmatullah 1) Azmatullah runs down to third, getting off the mark in the process, then Hashmatulla edges two. This is a key, probably the key partnership, and the skipper will know it’s his responsibility to commandeer it.
REVIEW! OUT!
Much closer than I thought, the ball angled across Rahmat and hitting the top of leg – says Hawkeye – so it’s umpire’s call and India are rolling.
REVIEW!
In hope, I think
WICKET! Rahmat lbw b Thakur 16 (Afghanistan 63-3)
We’ve seen his one before. A break brings a break in concentration and Rahmt’s missed clip means he’s hutchwards bound.
13th over: Afghanistan 63-2 (Rahmat 16, Azmatullah 0) That wicket might be a turning point because Gurbaz was batting well while Rahmat has struggled a bit. And it was a decent delivery too, Pandya’s quickest so far rushing the batter. Drinks.
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WICKET! Gurbaz c Thakur b Pandya 21 (Afghanistan 63-2)
Gurbaz tries a pull but picks out wide deep fine where Thakur, on the rope, does superbly to catch, throw up, step back and collect.
Photograph: Money Sharma/AFP/Getty Images
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13th over: Afghanistan 63-1 (Gurbaz 21, Rahmat 16) Rahmat turns Hardik’s first ball for four to fine leg, then runs down one to third.
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12th over: Afghanistan 58-1 (Gurbaz 21, Rahmat 11) I wonder if the batters will look to get after Thakur, because on a pitch like this, they need runs to set something competitive, and he might be the bowler they target. Rahmat does try to swing, missing, but then a bouncer gives him one to get under and he pulls over midwicket for four; shot. And what’s this?! Shakul runs in and the ball slips out of his hand, a beamer yielding a free hit; he goes wide trying to limit the damage, only to be called wide. A single follows, a low full toss restricting the hitting scope, then a dot.
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11th over: Afghanistan 51-1 (Gurbaz 21, Rahmat 6) A brace of singles open this second Hardik over, then a well-run third makes it three.
10th over: Afghanistan 48-1 (Gurbaz 20, Rahmat 4) Shardul Thakur into the attack, under a bit of pressure given he’s been included instead of the genius Ravi Ashwin … and after three dots, Gurbaz picks the length of a short one, waiting before humping it over midwicket for six! He caught that beautifully! Those are the only runs off the over, and this is developing into a really fun match.
9th over: Afghanistan 42-1 (Gurbaz 14, Rahmat 4) Hardik replaces Bumrah and is quickly driven to deep backward point for four. A no-ball follows, and this is shaping up nicely.
“Love how Indian commentators claim Bumrah is the ‘best white ball bowler in the World',’ emails Jerry Clode. “Last tour to New Zealand, he did not get one wicket.”
I still think I’d pick him ahead of every other bowler in the world, though. No one is brilliant all of the time, but I’m not sure anyone is brilliant as often as he is or, more importantly, as reliably excellent.
8th over: Afghanistan 37-1 (Gurbaz 10, Rahmat 4) Gurbaz turns away Siraj’s first ball one to deep backward square and I notice the bowler is wearing a t-short under his strip – perhaps he’s trying to Derartu Tulu the batters into fearing his superhuman capacity to tolerate heat. Oh, and this is interesting: we now see footage of him picking the ball and, rather than looking to see how proud its seam is, he flicks it up to see how straight it stays. For all the good it’s doing him, a full one given every chance to swing leaned into by Rahmat who drives through cover for four.
7th over: Afghanistan 32-1 (Gurbaz 9, Rahmat 0) Two dots end the over. On Bumrah, he benefits from that strange quirk of bowling: those who do it to technical perfection – like, say, Brett Lee and Michael Holding – are harder to face than those with a messy, ball-hiding style – like, say, Wasim and Bumrah.
WICKET! Zadran I c Rahul b Bumrah 22 (Afghanistan 32-1)
Another boomer from Bumrah! He hurls down full and straight, cramping Zadran for length and width, and the batter barely has time to move before edging behind.
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7th over: Afghanistan 32-0 (Gurbaz 9, Zadran I 22) Zadran tries a cut and instead edges hard through where ssecond slip isn’t, a third four in five balls…
6th over: Afghanistan 28-0 (Gurbaz 9, Zadran I 18) Zadran takes one to cover, then Gurbaz gets himself going, stepping into a big stride that turns a full wobble-seamer into a half-volley; the ball flies away to the point fence. And have a look! Gurbaz stands and delivers, waiting for Siraj and barely moving feet to lamp through cover, on the up, for the second boundary-four of the over! That’s a terrific shot, and Afghanistan are coming…
5th over: Afghanistan 19-0 (Gurbaz 1, Zadran I 17) With the score ticking now, Rohit removes a slip, then Zadran waves a cross-bat at a wider one but without real intention, doing well to avoid nicking off. One off the over, an inside-edge to square leg, and I wonder if Rohit is thinking about a change.
“Why is Australia so low on your retirement tour list?” asks Steve Hoare. “As you say, there are nice places to go on holiday (eg. Sri Lanka) but surely the fire of an Ashes tour places it near the top? Or are you just too afraid of the depressing defeat?”
Ha! I should’ve said there are no bad options, but I guess my current frame of mind is looking for something different, rather than England with better weather and scenery.
4th over: Afghanistan 18-0 (Gurbaz 1, Zadran I 16) Zadran adds a single, and his side have made an acceptable start.
REVIEW! NOT OUT!
The ball hit Zadran what looked right in front, on the back pad – I worried for him. But Michael Gough was at the bowler’s end which should’ve told me something, and though the ball was a goodun – a wobble-seamer that jagged in – it did too much and was missing leg.
4th over: Afghanistan 18-0 (Gurbaz 1, Zadran I 15) Zadran is strong off his legs and when Siraj strays straight, he’s flicked through midwicket for four; that’s very nicely timed. And fo mo follow in similar vein, another sent to the midwicket fence; that one wasn’t off the meat but still sped away. But what’s this?! Zadran misses, wears ball on pad punkt in front, and when the umpires reject the appeal, Rohit goes upstairs. It looks a good call to me…
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3rd over: Afghanistan 6-0 (Gurbaz 0, Zadran I 5) Three dots, then Zadran drives to extra where Pandya dives to save the boundary as they run one. Two further singles follow – they’re milking him now! – which completes the over. Back to Bumrah, though, where is he in the list of bowlers you’d most hate to face? Obviously there are and have been plenty quicker, but few who’ve bowled as quickly at the stumps and therefore the body. Yes, I’m saying I’d sway or duck and watch Cuddly’s bouncers go by.
2nd over: Afghanistan 6-0 (Gurbaz 0, Zadran I 5) Mohammed Siraj opens from the other end and Zadran has a fiddle at a full one that leaves him; he misses, but that was close to the edge. Zadran, though, puts it away to drive one that doesn’t swing down the ground. Pandya should catch up with it, though the outfield is rapid but, on the slide, he flicks the ball up into his chest, sending it over the fence. Happy 30th birthday, Hardik! A single follows, edged with soft hands, and Afghanistan will be satisfied with their start.
1st over: Afghanistan 1-0 (Gurbaz 0, Zadran I 0) Gurbaz defends a heavy ball then lets one go, prior to missing a turn to leg; wide ball. Bumrah responds well, finding severe inswing and some movement off the seam; Gurbaz does well to wear it on the pad. On which point, is Bumrah the best bowler in the world, all formats considered? I think he might be, and given the pace and carry we saw in that first over, he’s going to be a factor in this match. Of course he is.
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We’re not there, but one fine day we will be and in the meantime, we’re here. Off we go, Bumrah with the ball, Gurbaz and Zadran I waiting for him. Good luck, old mates.
The ground isn’t full, but it’s got a fair few in and is, I think, filling up. It’s loud.
And anthem time.
A moment of silence to reflect on the Afghanistan earthquakes. Godspeed, people.
Here come the teams!
So what’s the order of preference for OBO Retirement Tours? As things stand now I’m going:
India for a World Cup
India Test
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
South Africa
New Zealand
West Indies
Zimbabwe
Australia
Bangladesh
So how will this match go? We’re told today’s track isn’t the belter we had here last week, which should help Afghanistan. They’re not likely to set a monster, but if they can get themselves competitive with something above 250, if their spinners put the strangle on, they can make a match of his.
Teams!
India: Sharma (c), Kishan, Kohli, Iyer, Rahul (wk) Pandya, Jadeja, Thakur, Yadav, bumrah, Siraj.
Afghanistan: Gurbaz (wk), Zadran I, Shah, Shahidi (c), Nabi, Zadran N, Omarzai, Khan, Ur Rahman, Farooqi, Ul-Haq.
Afghanistan win the toss and will bat!
Rohit sends the coin miles then Hashmatullah Shahidi tells Ravi Shastri that he fancies his team with the bat despite a poor performance against Bangladesh, as it’s a great track; his team are unchanged. India, meanwhile, would’ve fielded first and have great confidence following their first match – in particular, Rohit praises the batting of KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, and otherwise, Shardul Thakur replaces Ravi Ashwin.
Here comes the toss…
The last match here – in Delhi, not my north London box-room – was a run-fest, South Africa making 428-5 and Sri Lanka 326. If India win the toss and bat, we could see something sub sub sub substantial; if Afghanistan do, they might fancy taking first knock to try and put the hosts under pressure.
Breaking: as per Cricinfo, it’s hot in Delhi. Who knew?
Preamble
Like all normal people, I spend significant quantities of time debating in what order I’m going to do England’s overseas tours – when, of course, my OBO digs allow me to retire a rich man. Generally, this list comprises Test serieseseses – a bit of Caribbean beach-fun here, some Saffer safari there – but increasingly, I’m thinking that nothing can compare to following India through an Indian World Cup.
When we go on sporting trips, what we’re looking for, most of all, is intensity. Sure, it’s nice to have a nice holiday, but we don’t need cricket for that; what the game brings that’s different is context, and 1.4 billion people all fanatically obsessed by the same, self-contained wonder, gives this thing of ours as much weight at it can possibly bear. Nothing in the game matters more; nothing in the game even comes close.
India started the tournament nicely, walloping Australia, while Afghanistan took a hiding off Bangladesh; chances are, something similar happens today. Limited-overs cricket, though, allows for one serious performance to define a match, likewise one major choke, and given the pressure under which India exist, both options are possible. But even if today goes as expected and ends in a straightforward win for the tournament favourites, the fact remains: what we’re about to enjoy is the greatest event currently happening on this awful, wonderful planet of ours, so let’s wade right in.
Play: 2.30am local, 9.30am BST
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