T20 World Cup 2021: Match 33, India vs Afghanistan – 10 best memes of the match

After losses in their first two Super 12 matches, Team India have opened their account in the T20 World Cup 2021, beating Afghanistan by 66 runs on Wednesday at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. With the win, the Men in Blue moved one place up from fifth to fourth in the points table. The Afghans, meanwhile, will go into their last game being in a rather tricky situation.

Rohit, Rahul power India

After winning the toss, the Afghans opted to field first, a decision they took for the first time. The move didn’t pay off as India racked up a score of 210 for the loss of two wickets. Rohit Sharma was back to opening the batting and he, along with KL Rahul, put on 140 runs for the opening wicket off 14.4 overs. Rohit looked in ominous form and notched a 47-ball 74, laced with eight fours and three sixes.

Rahul, at the other end, went on to play until the 17th over. After failures against Pakistan and New Zealand, the right-hander found his rhythm, scoring 69 off 48 with six fours and two sixes. Kohli demoted himself and promoted Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya in the batting lineup. Even as Pant scored an unbeaten 13-ball 27, Pandya stayed not out on 35 off 13, adding momentum to the Indian innings.

India get past the finishing line

The Afghans made a nervy start to their run-chase as Mohammed Shami accounted for Mohammad Shahzad’s wicket in the third over. Hazratullah Zazai hit one four and a six before skying one off Jasprit Bumrah. Rahmanullah Gurbaz made a 10-ball 19 before Ravindra Jadeja ended his short, but entertaining knock. Gulbadin Naib was promoted up the order, but he perished after scoring 18.

Najibullah Zadran saw his stumps go for a walk after he attempted a reverse sweep off Ravi Ashwin, who also dismissed Naib. Mohammad Nabi and Karim Janat tried to mitigate the damage to some extent. The duo put on 57 runs after which Shami got rid of Nabi, who made 35 off 32. Janat played his shots as he stayed not out on 42 off 22. Afghanistan ended their innings on 144 for seven.

Here are the best memes of the match