Twitter reacts as India manages to escape a major scare from Afghanistan
India escaped a major scare to get over the line in their latest outing against Afghanistan. Electing to bat first, the men in blue were jolted early with Rohit Sharma being sent back to the pavilion for just one run. Opener KL Rahul and middle-order batsmen Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya couldn't amount to much as well. However, it was the priceless knocks by Virat Kohli and Kedar Jadhav that helped India put on 224 runs on a wicket that was not easy to bat on.
Coming out to chase, the Afghans lost an early wicket when Hazratullah Zazai fell prey to Mohammed Shami in the 7th over. The proceedings then got a bit tense for Virat Kohli and Co as Gulbadin Naib, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi stitched successive partnerships to steer the ship in Afghanistan's favour.
The tables quickly turned in India's favour with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing Naib and Shahidi in the space of three deliveries in the 29th over. The innings then witnessed a brilliant knock from Mohammad Nabi, who posed a major threat to the Indian fans right till the end. The star all-rounder produced a gem of an innings and kept his team in the hunt despite losing wickets at the other end.
The right-hander struck some lusty blows towards the end and gave a run for the money to the Indians. However, Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami held their nerve in the death overs and managed to strike vital blows at the right time. While Bumrah conceded just 5 runs off the 49th over, Shami accounted for a brilliant hat-trick in the final over to hand over an 11-run win to India.
While India might have got home in the end, the Afghans ended up impressing the fans with their spirited show. Here's how the Twitterati responded to the result of the game between the two Asian sides.
Phew! But nothing like a good scare to keep our #BoysInBlue in shape & working hard...#CWC2019 #IndiavsAfghanistan https://t.co/9p9wMnVfYR
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 22, 2019
What an outstanding game by Afghanistan! That was tough one. @MohammadNabi007 your spirit & consistency was commendable. India pulled it back really well, well done boys! 🙌 #IndiavsAfghanistan
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) June 22, 2019
Muhammad Shami gets a hat-trick as India beats Afghanistan in a nail biter at the World Cup of Cricket.
— Tarek Fatah (@TarekFatah) June 22, 2019
A hat-trick and that too on the last ball and at a World Cup match. What a historic performance. This is cricket. And an incredible challenge by Afghanistan. #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/oaUjTtxT9L
India dodged the bullet. #INDvAFG #CWC19
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) June 22, 2019
@MdShami11 you beauty. 1st Hattrick in #WorldCup2019.
— Babul Supriyo (@SuPriyoBabul) June 22, 2019
Heartiest Congratulations to the Indian team on registering their 50th win in World Cup.#INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/p18xoTs8fE
We won but an outstanding effort from Afghanistan. They can be very proud. Bumrah and Shami saved it for India in the end. Congratulations to @MdShami11 on the Hat-trick. #INDvAFG
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 22, 2019
Shami took a hat-trick but the penultimate over by Bumrah set it up. Indian bowlers saved the day. Excellent. India remains unbeaten.... ☺️🤗 #CWC19 #IndvAfg
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 22, 2019
Many congratulations to @MdShami11 on a World Cup Hat-trick. Richly deserved. #INDvAFG
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 22, 2019
Let me end the evening, and use this emoji for the first time ever:
— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) June 22, 2019
❤️ you Afghanistan. You played like real champions. Proud of you. And proud of your sponsor Amul. #INDvAFG
Afghanistan won a lot of new fans today. Played superbly and India were lucky to win this.any congratulations to @MdShami11 on a World Cup Hat-trick #INDvAFG
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 22, 2019
India win the match but Afghanistan have won the hearts. Great fight against a team who had lost just one out of last 15 World Cup games. #INDvAFG
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 22, 2019
India wins. Afghanistan also wins ❤️ Cricket too 👏 #INDvAFG
— Manak Gupta (@manakgupta) June 22, 2019
Very well played, Afghanistan! Great spirit and some fierce competition! #WhistlePodu #INDvAFG #CWC19 🦁
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) June 22, 2019
Securing two points with this win, India have moved to the third points on the point table and are currently placed behind Australia and New Zealand.