NEW DELHI: Rashid Khan, Afghanistan's star spinner, finally managed to make an impact against India in the T20 World Cup Super 8 match in Bridgetown, Barbados on Thursday.
However, Suryakumar Yadav's scintillating knock of 53 off just 28 balls helped India reach a competitive total of 181 for eight. Suryakumar's innings was a display of his trademark style, as he effortlessly found the boundaries on a challenging pitch.
Apart from Suryakumar, Rishabh Pant (20 off 11) and Hardik Pandya (32 off 24) also made valuable contributions to India's total. Virat Kohli (24 off 24) reached double digits for the first time in the tournament but was dismissed just as he was settling in.
Rashid Khan, who had previously struggled against India, picked up three crucial wickets in his first three overs, finishing with figures of 3/26. India opted to bat first, but the pitch conditions made it difficult for the batsmen to play through the line.
Skipper Rohit Sharma (8) fell early, trying to increase the scoring rate. Rashid dismissed the dangerous Pant in the seventh over and followed it up with the wicket of Kohli in his second over. Shivam Dube (10) was Rashid's third victim, trapped lbw by a sharply turning delivery.
Suryakumar Yadav's innings was the highlight of India's batting performance. He played a series of sweeps against Rashid and punished the loose deliveries from other bowlers.
His half-century came off just 28 balls and included some audacious shots. After Suryakumar's departure, Hardik Pandya took charge and hit some massive sixes, including a straight one off Noor Ahmed that nearly shattered the press box window.
India's total of 181 for eight was their highest at the historic Kensington Oval.
