After the victory over Afghanistan, Rohit said – Surya Kumar, Hardik's partnership was important

Bridgetown, June 21 (HS). After his team's 47-run win against Afghanistan in the ICC T20 World Cup Super Eight match on Thursday, Indian captain Rohit Sharma praised the crucial partnership of Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya and the excellent bowling of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

Suryakumar Yadav's explosive half-century and excellent bowling from Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh helped India beat Afghanistan by 47 runs in their first match of the ICC T20 World Cup Super Eight in Barbados on Thursday.

After the match, Rohit said, “For the last two years we have been playing T20 here, so we understand the conditions and plan accordingly. We adapted ourselves to the conditions and scored 180 runs, which was a great effort by the batsmen. We had excellent bowlers, who defended brilliantly.”

The Indian captain said, “Everyone came and did their job, that is important and we pay attention to it. The partnership of Sky (Suryakumar Yadav) and Hardik was important at that time, we needed someone who could bat deep, which they did. We know Bumrah's class, we know what he can do. It is important for us to use him wisely regardless of the circumstances. He is ready to take responsibility and he has been doing this for years.”

Regarding the combination of three spinners, Rohit said, “We have to assess the conditions and the opposing team and based on that we are ready to make changes if needed. I felt three spinners were good here, if next time it is favorable for the fast bowlers then we will go with the fast bowlers.”

In this match, India won the toss and decided to bat first. India was struggling at one point after losing 4 wickets for 90 runs, then there was a match saving partnership of 60 runs between Suryakumar Yadav (53 runs in 28 balls, five fours and three sixes) and Hardik Pandya (32 runs in 24 balls, three fours and two sixes), which helped India reach a score of 181 runs for 8 wickets in their 20 overs.

Rashid Khan (3/26) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (3/33) bowled brilliantly for Afghanistan.

Chasing a target of 182, Afghanistan never looked dangerous and lost wickets regularly. Azmatullah Umarzai (26 off 20 balls, two fours and a six) was the only batsman to cross the 20-run mark. Afghanistan were bowled out for 134 in 20 overs. Suryakumar Yadav was awarded the 'Player of the Match' award.