ICC World Cup 2019: Twitter Reacts As Afghanistan Restrict India to 224 Runs

Afghanistan produced a brilliant effort with the ball to restrict India to 224 runs at the Rose Bowl Cricket Stadium in Southampton. The spinners were on the money well supported by the fast bowlers to contain a heavyweight Indian batting line-up.

Tough ask for India to defend the target

India went with one change bring in Mohammed Shami in place of injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar. They didn’t had a good start losing in-form Rohit Sharma in the fifth over. Off-spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman foxed Rohit to clean him up to have India at 7 for one. It is the first game in the World Cup where Rohit Sharma has failed to score runs which hurt India badly. KL Rahul and skipper Virat Kohli started the revival mainly focusing on rotating the strike as the Afghanistan bowlers were right on the money not giving away any chances to cut loose.

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Just when it looked that the Indian batsmen were set and looked good, Rahul played a rash shot to throw away his wicket. He tried a fancy reverse sweep and could only crack it to the fielder at short third man. Kohli, on the other hand, played another impressive knock to bring his third half-century of the World Cup. Vijay Shankar looked in good touch before falling LBW to Rahmat Shah scoring 29 runs. The dismissal of Shankar brought MS Dhoni in the crease who has had very limited opportunities to bat in the World Cup so far.

India received the major setback when Virat Kohli fell off a loose delivery. The ball was there to hit from Mohammad Nabi who edged it to the short third man. Struggling at 135 for four, Afghanistan bowlers put on much pressure bowling on good line and length making the life of MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav tough. The Indian batters failed to cut loose and had to focus mainly on ones and twos.

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Dhoni and Jadhav added 57 runs in 84 balls for the fifth wicket as Dhoni struggled to up the ante versus Afghanistan’s spin duo of Mujeeb and Rashid Khan. Rashid got the better of Dhoni in the 45th over to have India at 192 for five. The Afghans continued their superior work to with the ball to restrict India to 224 runs in their 50 overs.

Twitter Reactions

Undistinguished inning by Dhoni. Struggled against spin, but more importanty, even in rotating rotate strike

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 22, 2019

That Dhoni knock was the perfect representation of the criticisms of him. He just never kicked on. You would think India will still have enough but it is was very weird innings

— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) June 22, 2019

A spot of bother for India. Will test 5,6,7 now. Remember, it is a long tail today without Bhuvi. Need 250.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 22, 2019

Afghanistan picking up @ImRo45 early and now @klrahul11, can this contest be interesting or will Team India build up and dominate?#INDvAFG #CWC19

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) June 22, 2019

Grit and application. Well played Kedar Jadhav!

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 22, 2019

Virat Kohli is the Viv Richards of his era. Absolute beast of a batsman with this I know I’m great arrogance and a swagger to match. It’s an absolute joy, honour and privilege to watch Virat play #bbccricket

— Ilyas Najib (@theilyasnajib) June 22, 2019

What a great day for the superstitious .. ???? because commentators curse if the greatest bowler of all times, right ? ??‍♂️?

— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) June 22, 2019

Indian fans waiting for kedar jadhav to hit boundaries #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/azlQ5ft63s

— दीपांशु शर्मा (@AaramSeSharma) June 22, 2019

https://twitter.com/pragyanojha/status/1142394924219817984

India about 25-30 short to feel secure. Afghanistan have given themselves a mighty chance to win this match

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 22, 2019

Rohit Sharma gets out to Mujeeb Ur Rahman – that's the first dismissal against spin for Indian batsmen in this #CWC19 #INDvAFG

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) June 22, 2019

Indian batting order decides to put Shami to test. Indian bowling order right now.. #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/HyrxkimMEC

— Prateek Pareek (@iPrateekPareek) June 22, 2019

#INDvAFG India batting is totally exposed against Minor AFG

— Praveen (@Praveen_kv1) June 22, 2019

Why Jadeja is on the bench? Is he a part of this #cwc19 team? I really thought @imjadeja will start today. Poor selection. @imVkohli @BCCI#INDvAFG

— Vishnu T. Narayanan (@visnarayanan) June 22, 2019

Afghanistan you are playing a world class game of cricket. Hope you get the best results.
#INDvAFG

— Binga (@binga0009) June 22, 2019

Virat Kohli:

16th Feb 2018 to 4th Jun 2019: Scored three fifties

5th Jun 2019 to 22nd Jun 2019: Scored three fifties

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) June 22, 2019

https://twitter.com/RoshanKrRai/status/1142416640954421248

https://twitter.com/Vijay_Dfan/status/1142414654129483776

When someone Ask Jadhav And Dhoni why are you playing under 50 strike Rate:#INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/FtucTH9pMi

— MeMe_वाला (@black_snake10) June 22, 2019

Ball to Indian Batsmen against Afghanistan. #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/MMOlqxZh9F

— Horizon (@Super_Illusion_) June 22, 2019

#INDvAFG what Dhoni's watchful innings did to India!!!!
pic.twitter.com/al7ndwlB0S

— Mr Right Winger (@WingerMr) June 22, 2019

Dhoni in today's match #IndvAfg #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/GZWIY8BIEE

— Hardich pandya (@Harditch) June 22, 2019

Me watching Dhoni's and Jadhav's batting?#INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/4JhTlS8RvF

— بازلہ? (@imbazilah_) June 22, 2019