ICC World Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma's onslaught results in India's second win

Rohit Sharma's sensational century and Virat Kohli's sensible half-century led India to a dominant victory against Afghanistan tonight. India chased a target of 273 in just 35 overs and won the game by eight wickets. This resounding win significantly bolstered India's net run rate.

The chase began with Captain Rohit Sharma unleashing havoc upon the Afghan bowlers right from the start, electrifying the stadium with his aggressive batting. The Afghan bowlers found themselves at a loss in figuring out how to contain Rohit's onslaught. In a dynamic partnership spanning 18.4 overs, Rohit (131) and Ishan Kishan (47) added a remarkable 156 runs to the scoreboard. During this collaboration, Rohit accomplished a blistering century in a mere 63 balls. Following Ishan's departure, Virat Kohli assumed the role of a reliable ally to Rohit. Eventually, Rashid Khan put an end to Rohit's menacing display in the 26th over. By then, India had already established a firm grip on the game. Kohli (55*), along with Shreyas Iyer, ensured India's comfortable victory with his composed half-century.

Rohit's performance in this match was nothing short of extraordinary, setting multiple records. His 63-ball century stands as the fastest by an Indian in a World Cup match. He also clinched the title of the fastest Indian to reach 1000 runs in World Cups and secured the record for the most sixes in international cricket.

In the first innings, Afghanistan's batting display was rather lacklustre. Although they managed to avoid losing wickets at regular intervals, their run rate remained subdued. A partnership between Captain Shahidi (80) and Azmatullah (62), accounting for 121 runs for the fourth wicket, was the highlight of their innings. This collaborative effort helped Afghanistan reach a total of 272/8 in their allotted 50 overs. India's star pacer, Bumrah, excelled with the ball, claiming four wickets (4/39).

With this impressive victory in their pocket, India is now gearing up for a high-stakes clash with arch-rivals Pakistan on October 14, to be held in Ahmedabad. On the other hand, Afghanistan is set to face England on October 15 in Delhi.

Scorecard:

Afghanistan: 272/8 (50 overs)

India: 273/2 (35 overs)