T20 World Cup 2024: Kuldeep Yadav strikes as India tightens grip against Afghanistan

In a crucial Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup, India continued their undefeated streak while Afghanistan faced an uphill battle after a devastating loss to the West Indies. The match saw Kuldeep Yadav making a significant impact, dismissing Gulbadin Naib with a well-executed googly.
Gulbadin’s Dismissal
Kuldeep Yadav enticed Gulbadin Naib into a false shot with a tantalizing googly outside off stump. Gulbadin, who was struggling to build momentum with his innings, attempted to launch the delivery but mistimed it, sending the ball high into the air. Rishabh Pant, India’s wicketkeeper, read the flight early, positioned himself well, and comfortably pouched the catch.
The dismissal marked a crucial breakthrough for India, breaking a partnership and further tightening their grip on the match. Gulbadin departed after scoring 17 runs from 21 deliveries, including one boundary and a six.
Earlier in the match, Jasprit Bumrah had set the tone for India by claiming two quick wickets to dent Afghanistan’s top order. With Afghanistan reeling at 35/3 within the powerplay overs, India’s bowlers continued to apply pressure, restricting the scoring and picking up wickets at regular intervals.
India’s Dominance
With the semifinal spot hanging in the balance, India’s disciplined bowling performance, led by Bumrah and now Kuldeep Yadav, put Afghanistan under immense pressure. The Indian team, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, displayed clinical efficiency in the field, capitalizing on every opportunity to assert their dominance.