Rohit Sharma smashed a record seventh World Cup century as India powered to an emphatic eight-wicket win over Afghanistan in Wednesday’s group match in Delhi.
The India captain cracked 131 from 84 balls, including 16 fours and five sixes, as the tournament hosts eased past their 273-run target with 15 overs to spare. The 36-year-old also recorded the fastest century – he reached three figures in 63 balls – by an India player at a World Cup.
Sharma’s seventh effort meant he overtook Sachin Tendulkar as the scorer of the most World Cup centuries, while India’s victory maintained their strong start to the competition after Sunday’s opening win over Australia.
“It was a good pitch to bat on and I just backed myself to play my natural game,” said Sharma. “I knew once I got my eye in, the wicket was only going to get easier. It’s something I have been working on for a long time. I’m glad today I could go big and get that hundred. It’s a very special feeling. A World Cup hundred is always special.”
Sharma insisted the records were not important to him as he targets tournament glory.
“I don’t want to think about all that stuff,” he said. “There is a long way to go and I don’t want to lose my focus. It is important not to lose that mindset of putting pressure on the opposition.”
Virat Kohli weighed in with an unbeaten 55 from 56 deliveries, while Ishan Kishan added a run-a-ball 47 in an opening stand of 156 with the inspired Sharma in India’s comprehensive win.
Jasprit Bumrah was the earlier star with the ball for India, taking four for 39 as Afghanistan were limited to 272 for eight.
Bumrah took three crucial middle-order wickets as Afghanistan failed to build on a solid platform laid by captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (80) and Azmatullah Omarzai (62).
The pair put on 121 for the fourth wicket after coming together at 63 for three, but momentum was lost after Hardik Pandya (two for 43) broke through by bowling Omarzai.
Shahidi’s 88-ball knock ended when he was trapped lbw by Kuldeep Yadav in the 43rd over and just 47 further runs were added as Bumrah took charge.
Any hopes Afghanistan’s total might prove competitive were quickly dispelled as Sharma, who was eventually bowled by Rashid Khan (two for 57), propelled India to a huge win.
“We have seven more games,” said Shahidi. “We will try to learn from our mistakes and come back with a positive approach.”
@theguardian
