T20 World Cup 2024: India beat Afghanistan with some outstanding performances from Suryakumar Yadav and class-apart Jasprit Bumrah

Summary: Brian Lara, a former captain of the West Indies, has praised Jasprit Bumrah as India's gem following yet another brilliant effort that saw him win a match against Afghanistan.

With Afghanistan restricted to 134, India brilliantly played to reach 181 and the value of their no-more-safety-first batting style. Suryakumar Yadav hit a 28-ball 53 to lead India to an inclusive 47-run victory against Afghanistan in their first Super Eights encounter at the T20 World Cup.

Yadav smashed five fours and three sixes and had a vital fifth-wicket stand of sixty runs with Hardik Pandya. Ultimately, India managed to put up 181 for eight. After losing three wickets in the first five overs, Afghanistan's reply was never able to bounce back and was eventually bowled out for 134 runs, with the outstanding Jasprit Bumrah taking three for seven.

Few players are as capable of winning games regardless of the circumstances as Team India's Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, who is renowned for bowling precise yorkers and eliminating circumstances from the equation, performed admirably once more against Afghanistan in the Barbados T20 World Cup. 

Bumrah broke the previous record held by Arshdeep Singh (4/9 against the United States of America earlier in the group stages to record the most economical spell by an Indian in T20I history. Bumrah took three wickets and gave up just seven runs.

Bumrah's skill was evident as he excluded the conditions from the equation. His performance was more than just a statistical win; it was a masterclass in strategic bowling and game awareness. Bumrah's intervention was impactful and timely after Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who scored the most of Afghanistan's 13 runs in the first over of the chase, dominated the innings. 

In the second over of Afghanistan's innings, Bumrah took just two deliveries to make his debut, dismissing the in-form Rahmanullah Gurbaz on 11.

India's chances of winning the Indian Premier League on June 29th will certainly depend on Bumrah's performance in the next two Super 8 matches against Australia and Bangladesh, as well as in the semifinals and finals.