Wishes pour in from Bollywood for Team India after beating Afghanistan in a thriller

India had a reality check from unexpected quarters in Southampton on Saturday in the ongoing World Cup 2019. Playing against Afghanistan after humbling some big opponents, most or all fans had predicted that Virat Kohli’s men will at best have a robust practice session. But as things turned out, the Men in Blue were put under tremendous pressure by a side which hasn’t delivered in this edition despite coming in with huge potential. The fans were jubilant, including the Bollywood celebrities

Kohli won the toss and elected to bat and just when the fans were hoping for a 500-run breach from a powerful Indian batting line-up, it faltered big time. Rohit Sharma, who has hit two hundreds in the tournament already, was back for one off 10 balls and KL Rahul managed a hard-earned 30 off 53. The runs were being scored at a snail’s pace compared to some of their earlier batting displays and the spin-heavy Afghan bowling attack kept on dictating terms.

The veteran MS Dhoni scored 28 but ate up 52 balls while Kedar Jadhav scored his maiden World Cup fifty (52 off 68). Only Kohli scored faster with 67 off 63 balls, picking up his third consecutive half-century in the tournament. India settled for 224 for 8 after 50 overs and suddenly, Afghanistan were looking favourites to win.

Bowlers live up to the expectations

But India’s bowlers brought the team back into the game brilliantly. From Mohammed Shami to Jasprit Bumrah to Hardik Pandya to the wrist spinners, the Men in Blue kept on fighting and eventually prevailed over the opponents who also showed big heart hunting for their first win. Shami, playing his first match of the tournament, took a hat-trick in the final over to seal an 11-run win for India.

Wishes poured in from all quarters following the thrilling win which now puts India at nine points from five matches with four wins. India now look almost certain to make the semi-finals with four more games left to be played. The tinsel town was also ecstatic following India’s hard-earned win over a spirited Afghanistan

Here’s how Bollywood reacted to the famous win: