India finally 'arrived' at the T20 World Cup 2021 with a thumping 66-run win over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (November 3). Though the road ahead is difficult, this win keeps India's hopes alive for a semi-finals spot.
Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi won the toss and elected to bowl first, keeping the dew factor in mind. India's openers Rohit Sharma (74) and KL Rahul (69) made full use of the batting friendly conditions and added 140 runs for the opening wicket in 14.4 overs.
Once both departed, Rishabh Pant (27*) and Hardik Pandya (35*) smashed the ball to all parts of the ground as India finished with 210/2, the highest total of the tournament so far.
Afghanistan responded with just 144/7 as Mohammad Shami and R Ashwin starred with the ball, taking three and two wickets respectively. Karim Janat scored 42* to reduce the margin of defeat in the last few overs.
READ ALSO: Cricket fraternity reacts as India register emphatic victory over Afghanistan in must-win game
There was some drama in the 19th over bowled by Shami, as Karim Janat tried to hit a six, lnky to find Ravindra Jadeja running in from the boundary to grab a stunning catch. But the onfield umpires were not sure whether the ball touched the ground and referred the catch to third umpire Aleem Dar with the soft signal as out.
After few replays, Dar ruled the batsman not out as he believed the ball did touch the ground when Jadeja fell on the ground, which left the all-rounder and India captain Virat Kohli quite flabbergasted.
Watch here:
Dale Steyn, Sam Billings, and Scott Styris reacted to Aleem Dar's suggestion and suggested that Jadeja was unlucky not to be credited for a great catch that could have been among the best in the tournament.
