"We have to show professionalism"- Virender Sehwag warns Rohit Sharma-led India

Published - 21 Jun 2024, 12:25 PM | Updated - 24 Aug 2024, 01:21 AM

Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav
Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav. Image Credits: X

Former India opener Virender Sehwag was impressed by India's performance in their first Super 8 match against Afghanistan in Barbados. Team India was excellent in all departments as they demolished a hapless Afghanistan team by 47 runs.

Despite being in slight trouble during the first innings, India managed to put up a commendable effort and showed their prowess. Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bunrah starred for India in the game. Suryakumar top-scored in the match 53 while Bumrah picked up 3-7 in four overs.

Virender Sehwag discusses India's victory over Afghanistan in Super 8

While discussing India's dominating win over Afghanistan, Virender Sehwag called it a professional performance from the Men in Blue and termed it 'Safai Abhiyan'.

"We have achieved the No. 1 ranking in T20 internationals. The way India is playing, we have to show that professionalism, especially against Afghanistan and Bangladesh because they can cause an upset and can affect your qualification. When big teams like Australia will come, then there will be an equal contest. It was an excellent performance from India. It was a 'Safai Abhiyan'," Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.

India proving to be too good for Afghanistan

After opting to bat first after winning the toss, India scored 181-8 in 20 overs on a slow pitch. The Men in Blue didn't have a great start as they slumped to 62-3 in the ninth over of the match. Skipper Rohit Sharma was out for just 8 while Virat Kohli was dismissed by Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan for 24 runs.

But Suryakumar Yadav had other ideas as he swept his way to an excellent and much-needed 53 off just 28 balls. Suryakumar's unusual shots disrupted Afghanistan's bowling attack as they didn't have any answers to him.

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Vice-captain Hardik Pandya chipped in with a crucial 32 off 24 balls to help India post a competitive score on the board. For Afghanistan, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rashid Khan picked three wickets each but the other bowlers were taken for plenty.

Chasing 182 to win, Afghanistan were never on course to reach the target. Bumrah removed the openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai in the powerplay while Axar Patel accounted for Ibrahim Zadran to leave Afghanistan at 23-3.

Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, and Mohammad Nabi played crucial knocks down the order but that wasn't enough as Afghanistan were all out for just 134 runs in 20 overs. For India, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah picked up three wickets apiece while Kuldeep Yadav picked up two wickets.

Suryakumar Yadav was adjudged Player of the Match for his magnificent 53 under pressure. This was his second fifty of the tournament and a much more crucial one as well. His first innings also came when the team was under pressure in the match against the USA in New York.

India will now move to Antigua to face Bangladesh on June 22. They will then travel to St. Lucia to face Australia on June 24 for their last Super 8 match.

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