India crushed Afghanistan in Match 33 by 66 runs to finally open their account in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021.

After being asked to bat first, India demolished Afghanistan bowling courtesy of the star openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. The duo left no stone unturned to keep the momentum in India’s favour and formed a dominating partnership.

Rohit ended up as the top-scorer for his side. The Mumbaikar made 74 runs off 47 deliveries with the help of eight fours and three sixes. Similarly, Rahul also shined with the bat and scored 69 from 48 balls, including eight boundaries. The pair put together a remarkable stand of 140 runs for the opening wicket.

 

Apart from Rohit and Rahul, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and all-rounder Hardik Pandya also chipped in with valuable contributions to push India’s total beyond the mark of 200. In just 3.3 overs, Pant (27 off 13 no) and Hardik (35 off 13 no) stitched an unbeaten 63-run stand to inspire India to 210/2 in their allotted 20 overs.

In reply, Afghanistan managed to reach 144/7 in 20 overs, to lose the contest by a big margin of 66 runs. Karim Janat, with an unbeaten 42 off 22 balls, was their top scorer in the match.

For India, Mohammed Shami picked up three wickets for 32 runs in his quota of 4 overs. While Ravichandran Ashwin, who was playing his first limited-overs fixture since 2017, bagged a couple of scalps for just 14 runs in 4 overs.

 

Here is how Twitter reacted:

 

This is how it is done. India played like India. 👏👏 #T20WorldCup #IndvAfg

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 3, 2021

 

Indian people love devouring sweets during Diwali. Tonight it was the turn of Afghan Jalebi 😋 #INDvAFG #T20WorldCup21

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 3, 2021

 

A 🔝 performance from #TeamIndia to get off the mark 😍💪#T20WorldCup #INDvAFG #SaddaPunjab pic.twitter.com/JvTgG79YBv

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) November 3, 2021

 

Back to winning ways 💪🇮🇳

Now that’s what we call a brilliant performance 💙#OneFamily #T20WorldCup #INDvAFG @imVkohli @ashwinravi99 @MdShami11 @T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/3EJbPb6DGF

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) November 3, 2021

 

Rohit Sharma = class #IndvAfg

— Ravi Bopara (@ravibopara) November 3, 2021

 

#TeamIndia 🤞🏻🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/5ldQMunck8

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) November 3, 2021

 

India’s net run rate has also stormed into positive territory.
Scorecard: https://t.co/i0OaRp54iz#INDvAFG #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/qTVgGQFyvh

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) November 3, 2021

 

DiWali + The Winning feeling🤩 💛#INDvAFG #WhistlePodu 🦁 pic.twitter.com/1HDT6Yx8yD

— Chennai Super Kings – Mask P😷du Whistle P🥳du! (@ChennaiIPL) November 3, 2021

 

A comprehensive win for #TeamIndia to sum up Diwali eve! 😍

📸: Wisden #INDvAFG #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/jVSulvw7wv

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) November 3, 2021

 

If #AFG beat #NZ by one run & NZ beat #NAM by 60 runs, #INDIA should have a combined win aggregate of 107 runs against Nam & #SCO to qualify (assuming teams bat 1st scoring 160 in all games).#T20WorldCup

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) November 3, 2021

 

India’s NRR is positive now. Their best scenario to qualify for the semis is: Afghanistan beat New Zealand and then India beat Scotland and Namibia by good margins.

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) November 3, 2021

 

#India has finally opened their account with 2 points in 3 matches.
Their NRR from -1.609 has now jumped to 0.073
However, is this, all too late?
🤞#IndvAfg #IndvsAfg#AFGvIND #AfgvsInd#T20WorldCup21#T20WorldCup#T20worldcup2021

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 3, 2021