India captain Virat Kohli was delighted with Ravichandran Ashwin’s good return to T20I cricket as the former champions pounded Afghanistan 66 runs in their Super 12 game to his chances, albeit slim, of the 2021 T20 World Cup semi-finals to reach . India’s net run rate received a massive spike as the company recorded 210 runs on the board before being disciplined in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
R Ashwin, who returned to India’s T20I team after a 4-year hiatus, shone with the ball when he gave away only 14 runs and picked up 2 wickets in his 4-over spell. Ashwin removed Gulbadin Naib and Najibullah Zadran as he used all his experience to stifle the Afghanistan run flow in the middle overs.
India vs. Afghanistan, T20 World Cup: report | Highlights
Mohammed Shami was India’s highest wicket taker in the big win when he picked up 3 scalps from Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah one wicket each to limit Afghanistan to 144/7 in 20 overs.
Ashwin was a surprising pick on Inida’s T20 World Cup squad, but India didn’t play its seasoned crank in the losses to Pakistan and New Zealand in Dubai. However, a calf argument with Varun Chakravarthy meant Ashwin got a place in the XI.
“Ash’s return has been really positive, it was something he worked really hard for. He showed this control and rhythm in the IPL. I’m really happy to see him back to the rhythm. If he can bowl like that “They can control the middle-overs and pick up wickets. He’s a smart bowler, so the return of Ashwin is the most pleasing,” said Virat Kohli.
We’ll chase the outsider chance: Kohli
India’s net run rate rose from -1.609 to +0.073 after Wednesday’s 66-run win. India needs a few other results to find its way as its fate is out of its own control. All eyes will be on Afghanistan’s final game against New Zealand as Mohammad Nabi India’s men can make things easier with a win over Kane Williamson’s side. Of course, India has to win its last two games (on Friday against Scotland and on Monday against Namibia) by a large margin.
Virat Kohli admitted that India was keeping an eye on net run rate as they went into the crucial game on Wednesday, saying that the Asian giants will be playing a positive kind of cricket and will try to chase that underdog opportunity.
India got off to a good start with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul sewing a record of 140 runs, after which Hardik Pandya (35 of 13) and Rishabh Pant (27 of 15) helped India finish 210th.
“We don’t always choose to go tough early on, but we put ourselves back and when we get going we know what we can do. Well, yes, that’s the plan to keep playing this brand of cricket, but how said, sometimes you just give in to the pressure. The other teams have played really well with us. Yes, the net run rate was (in our heads) to be honest. We are always positive and have thought about it, “said Kohli.
“We spoke in the team meeting that we need to focus on the chance we have (to qualify) to stay positive and chase that chance,” he added.
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