... The Run Chase ...

Right then, the average total at this stadium is around 160 runs and India have surpassed that by 20 or so runs which will make things even more difficult for Afghanistan. A lot depends on their charismatic opening pair but the Indian bowlers will come hard at them. Can Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran lay the foundation for a famous win? Or will Jasprit Bumrah and co prove to be too much for them? Let's find out as the run chase is up next.

The star with the bat for India, Suryakumar Yadav is up for a chat. He says that he enjoys batting in the middle overs. Adds that that is the time when the opposition tries to slow things down, but he knew that they had a few left-handers to come and tried to keep the positive intent going on. Mentions that Rohit Sharma understands his game and it is a motivation when your skipper backs your game. Ends by saying that the total is good and they will give their best to defend it.

Afghanistan will feel they have let India off the hook a bit and now face a daunting task ahead. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mohammad Nabi started off very nicely and Farooqi got rid of the Indian skipper in the third over. A dropped catch from Naveen-ul-Haq allowed Pant to keep chipping away but the skipper, Rashid Khan stepped up and got a couple of quick wickets. The spinners however, didn't quite manage to build on and allowed the likes of Suryakumar Yadav to dominate them. Rashid did come b

A half-decent comeback by the Afghanistan pacers in the last four overs as the likes of Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi managed to pick up wickets but India will feel, they have got to a total they would have taken gladly at the start of the match. After opting to bat first, India had a sedate start to their innings and skipper Rohit Sharma looked patchy as he kept swinging at every other ball and was soon caught out. Rishabh Pant came in and provided some much-needed momentum which allo

Naveen-ul-Haq to Axar Patel, ! RUN OUT! An anti-climatic end to the innings but still 13 runs come off the last over!

Naveen-ul-Haq to Axar Patel, Naveen-ul-Haq has to reload that one! He goes full again but way outside off, Axar Patel lets it go and gets the wide.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Axar Patel, ! You bet he can! Naveen-ul-Haq bowls this slower, full and outside off, Axar Patel opens the face of the bat at the last moment, the ball flies off the outside edge over short third man for another boundary.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Axar Patel, Overpitched and on middle, Axar Patel drills it down the ground wide of long on for a couple of more runs. Can Axar Patel take India to 180 here?

Naveen-ul-Haq to Axar Patel, ! A freebie and Axar Patel takes full advantage here! This is a low full toss, outside off, Axar Patel crunches it through covers and as there is not protection in the deep, the ball races away to the fence for a boundary.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Axar Patel, Short of a length and outside off, Axar Patel cuts it uppishly but well wide of deep point for a brace.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Axar Patel, Naveen-ul-Haq nails the wide yorker this time, outside off, Axar Patel fails to lay a bat on it.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Axar Patel, Goes full but well outside off, Axar Patel leaves it alone. Wided.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Arshdeep Singh, No run.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Arshdeep Singh, 2 runs.

Arshdeep Singh walks out to bat now.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ravindra Jadeja, ! c Gulbadin Naib b Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ravindra Jadeja, ! Finds the gap!

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ravindra Jadeja, No run.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ravindra Jadeja, 2 runs.

Axar Patel walks in to bat now.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, ! TAKEN! Naveen-ul-Haq gets his man this time! No need of a review now!

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, ! LBW! Another big shout from the Afghans, and the finger goes up! However, Hardik Pandya has taken the review here.

For the third time in this inning, the ball seems to be lost and we will have another slight delay.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, ! OF THE PARK! Naveen-ul-Haq goes for the slower delivery, but serves this right in the slot, on middle, Hardik Pandya clears his front leg, uses all his power, and muscles it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. It sounded very sweet and we have lost another ball as this one goes out of the stadium. 98 METERS!

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, Pitches it up but way down the leg side, Hardik Pandya misses his flick. Wided.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, Back of a length and outside off, Hardik Pandya cuts it straight to point.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Ravindra Jadeja, 1 run.

Ravindra Jadeja is the new man in. Also, Naveen-ul-Haq (2-0-17-0) comes back into the attack.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, 1 run.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Suryakumar Yadav, ! c Mohammad Nabi b Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Suryakumar Yadav, ! FIFTY FOR SKY! He is not the number one T20I batter for no reason!

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Suryakumar Yadav, ! MASSIVE FROM SKY! Fazalhaq Farooqi goes slower again, a touch fuller and on middle, Suryakumar Yadav reads it early, puts his weight on the back foot and smokes it way, way over the long on fence for another biggie.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Hardik Pandya, 1 run.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Suryakumar Yadav, Good length and on off, pace on this time, Suryakumar Yadav gets a but hurried and miscues his heave towards long off for a single.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Suryakumar Yadav, Clever bowling! Fazalhaq Farooqi takes all the pace off here, back of a length and on off, angling away, Suryakumar Yadav goes way early through his slog and misses.

A slight halt in play as the ball seems to have been lost and the fourth umpire runs out with the box of balls again. However, the old ball is found and the match can now continue.

Noor Ahmad to Hardik Pandya, Fires this one in, full and on middle and leg, Hardik Pandya goes down to paddle it away but fails to connect. 12 runs off the over and India are on track for big total here!

Noor Ahmad to Hardik Pandya, ! SMACKED! Noor Ahmad gives this one some more flight but serves it in the slot, on middle, Hardik Pandya clears his front leg away and tonks it over the long on fence for a biggie.

Noor Ahmad to Hardik Pandya, Four!

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, 'Catch it' is the call but it lands safely!

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Tossed up, full and on off, Suryakumar Yadav pushes it wide of extra covers where the fielder makes a good diving stop.

Noor Ahmad to Hardik Pandya, Floated, short and around off, Hardik Pandya tries to smack it away but goes a bit too hard on that, ends up bunting it down to long off for a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Hardik Pandya, On the shorter side and outside off stump, Hardik Pandya rocks back and slashes the ball away in front of the point region for a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, 2 Wides!

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, ! As clean a strike as you'll see! Pitched up in the slot and outside off stump, Suryakumar Yadav goes deep in the crease and shimmies just a bit to the off side before getting under it and whacking it straight down the ground for another biggie. SKY yet again holds the pose!

Azmatullah Omarzai to Hardik Pandya, Quite full and flirting with the tramline outside off, Hardik Pandya opts to go chasing after it and almost falls over as he hammers the ball to deep cover for just a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, Too full and probably going beyond the tramline outside off, Suryakumar Yadav moves around and goes past the off stump before toe-ending the ball behind point for just a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, Nicely bowled! Gets the yorker in around the off stump line and Suryakumar Yadav can only manage to squeeze it out the deck on the off side.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, No run.

Rashid Khan to Hardik Pandya, ! Rashid Khan ends a good over with a freebie and Hardik Pandya doesn't miss out on it. Short and wide outside off stump, Pandya rocks back and slaps the ball in front of square on the off side to pick up a boundary.

Rashid Khan to Hardik Pandya, Good, attacking bowling from Rashid Khan here. Tossed up and drifting onto middle and leg, Hardik Pandya watchfully blocks it down the pitch.

Rashid Khan to Hardik Pandya, Lovely delivery!

Rashid Khan to Hardik Pandya, Floated up a bit, quite full and on the off stump line, Hardik Pandya blocks it off.

Rashid Khan to Hardik Pandya, Pushed through quicker and fuller outside the off stump, a hint of turn on this occasion. Hardik Pandya leans on to push it away but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Rashid Khan to Suryakumar Yadav, Drags the length well short and bowls it over off and middle, Suryakumar Yadav goes on the back foot and whips it away down to wide long on for a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Hardik Pandya, Slower one, floated up outside the off stump, Hardik Pandya looks to drive off the front foot but is beaten past the outside edge.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, Nice and full, bowled outside off stump, Suryakumar Yadav drives it square on the off side and picks up a single in the deep.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, ! Suryakumar Yadav seems to be in full flight at the moment. Overpitched and outside off, SKY gets on the front foot and forces the lofted drive wide of mid off and the ball runs away to the fence. SKY holds the pose after that shot as well and Azmatullah Omarzai is under pressure from the get-go.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, On a fuller length and outside off, Suryakumar Yadav gets on the front foot and hammers it away well wide of long off and picks up a couple of runs.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, ! Oh, that was audacious from Suryakumar Yadav and the 100 comes up for India. Azmatullah Omarzai looks for the wide yorker but serves a low full toss around the tramline. Yadav shimmies in his crease and eventually, he just plants his front leg well across the off stump and swats it away flat in between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a crunching boundary.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Hardik Pandya, Starts from over the stumps and bowls it slightly shorter around off, Hardik Pandya plays it late and with soft hands wide of deep third and picks up a single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, Back of a length and outside off, punched away on the up and through the cover region for a single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, Close but not close enough!

Is that a run-out at the non-striker's end?

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, ! Glorious from Hardik Pandya, absolutely glorious. On a good length and around off stump, Pandya walks down the pitch, keeps a still head and drives it nicely through extra cover for a lovely boundary.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Suryakumar Yadav, 1 run.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, Pitches this one up, pace on and around off stump, Hardik Pandya plays it on the up and pushes it gently towards cover for an easy single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Suryakumar Yadav, Starts the new spell from over the wicket and bowls it wider on the crease. It is slower too and angled into the pads, Suryakumar Yadav flicks it away through square leg and turns the strike over.

Hardik Pandya is the next man in for India.

Rashid Khan to Hardik Pandya, Seemed like the googly but it was on a shorter length and Rashid angled that one onto off and middle. Hardik Pandya with a solid block off the front foot.

Rashid Khan to Shivam Dube, ! LBW! Excellent review! A prolonged appeal for LBW from the bowler and the keeper but the umpire says no. Rashid Khan reviews it immediately as he feels it was pad first and then bat and the third umpire is called in. This is the regulation leg break, bowled flatter on middle and turning back in sharply. Shivam Dube opts to go on the back foot and is late on the dab and seems to have got a bit of glove onto the pads. However, the replays and UltraEdge conf

Rashid Khan to Suryakumar Yadav, A misfield from Noor Ahmad but it doesn't cost an extra run. Flighted up around the off stump line, Suryakumar Yadav leans forward and plays it towards extra cover for one.

Rashid Khan to Suryakumar Yadav, ! BANG! Every time these two go up against each other, Suryakumar Yadav seems to have the number of Rashid Khan. Another ball that is pretty full and pushed through outside off stump, Yadav plants his front leg across, fetches the ball and nails the slog-sweep over deep square leg for a biggie.

Rashid Khan to Suryakumar Yadav, Nicely bowled! The top spinner now, on a length and around off stump, Suryakumar Yadav leans on and gets the front leg across looking to sweep but misses. The ball goes off his arm and into the body.

Rashid Khan to Suryakumar Yadav, ! Runs right after the drinks break for Suryakumar Yadav. Tossed up full and on the leg stump, SKY gets inside the line and sweeps it firmly wide of the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Drinks break! The first innings is very nicely poised as Afghanistan have managed to get rid of India's top order and for the first time, Rashid Khan has been able to pick up wickets against India in this format. However, India now have a couple of players who are excellent players of spin and it will be a bit of a challenge for Rashid and Noor Ahmad to simply have their way. Let's see how the next 10 overs pan out.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Quicker one, full again and on middle, Suryakumar Yadav tucks it through square leg for one.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Darts this one full, on middle, Suryakumar Yadav flicks it away nicely wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Noor Ahmad to Shivam Dube, 1 run.

A slight delay here as the ball seems to have been lost in the crowd thanks to that biggie from Shivam Dube and the fourth umpire comes out to the middle with the box of balls. The onfield umpires pick one and play can get underway again.

Noor Ahmad to Shivam Dube, ! BANG! First one of the match!

Noor Ahmad to Shivam Dube, No run.

Noor Ahmad to Shivam Dube, Tossed up, full and on off, Shivam Dube drills it wide of sweeper covers for a couple of runs.

Rashid Khan to Suryakumar Yadav, ! Top shot! Rashid Khan gives this one some air, full and on middle, Suryakumar Yadav goes down, uses his wrists nicely and sweeps it away hard and wide of deep square leg for a boundary. 7 runs and a huge wicket off the over!

Rashid Khan to Shivam Dube, 1 run.

Rashid Khan to Shivam Dube, No run.

Shivam Dube is the new man in.

Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, ! c Mohammad Nabi b Rashid Khan.

Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, Uppish but safe! A bit short and outside off, Virat Kohli slaps it aerially but the ball just bounces in front of extra covers. The fielder fumbles a bit but no harm done.

Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, 2 runs.

Noor Ahmad to Virat Kohli, A single to end the over as this shortish delivery is punched to sweeper covers by Kohli. 6 runs off the over then!

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Noor Ahmad continues to bowl quick, drags his length back once more, Suryakumar Yadav mistimes his cut wide of point for a quick run.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Pushed through quicker, short again, on off, Suryakumar Yadav dabs it down to point.

Noor Ahmad to Virat Kohli, 1 run.

Noor Ahmad to Virat Kohli, Fires this one full but down the leg side, Virat Kohli leaves it alone. Wided.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Off the mark right away. Floated up quite full and on middle, Suryakumar Yadav gets on the front foot and wrists the ball away along the turf through mid-wicket for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Virat Kohli, Starts with a full and wide one, Virat Kohli reaches out and hammers it away to long off for a single.

Suryakumar Yadav is the new batter in. Also, Noor Ahmad has now been brought into the attack.

Rashid Khan to Rishabh Pant, ! LBW! A huge shout by the Afghans and up goes the finger! Is that the first wicket for Rashid Khan against India in T20Is? We will have to wait and see as Pant takes the review here.

Rashid Khan to Rishabh Pant, Off the pads! Rashid Khan dishes out the googly and bowls it full around the leg stump, Rishabh Pant goes down to sweep but misses and the ball just clips the pads as it goes past the keeper and runs away to the fence.

Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, 1 run.

Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, No run.

Rashid Khan to Rishabh Pant, 1 run.

Rashid Khan brings himself into the attack right after the Powerplay.

Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, 1 run.

Mohammad Nabi to Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli gets lucky there!

Did the ball deflect off Nabi's hand? The umpires have gone upstairs to have a look but Mohammad Nabi isn't excited one bit.

Mohammad Nabi to Rishabh Pant, No run.

Mohammad Nabi to Rishabh Pant, Four!

Mohammad Nabi to Rishabh Pant, Four!

Mohammad Nabi to Rishabh Pant, ! Nicely played!

Mohammad Nabi to Virat Kohli, Risky single! Tossed up, full and on middle, Virat Kohli goes down and paddles it to short fine leg and sets off for the run, Pant responds well too. The fielder makes a direct hit at the batter's end but the replay shows that Pant has made his ground comfortably.

The Indians are wearing black armbands in honor of the late David Johnson, former Indian fast bowler.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rishabh Pant, Another slower delivery, bowled well into the pitch and over middle and leg. Rishabh Pant gets cramped for room and ends up just blocking it back on the deck.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Virat Kohli, Bowled back of a length and at the body, Virat Kohli tucks it off the back foot and in front of square leg for a run to follow-up the big hit.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Virat Kohli, ! 'Kohli goes down the ground, Kohli goes out of the ground.'

Naveen-ul-Haq to Virat Kohli, Back of a length and a bit wide of the off stump, Virat Kohli hangs back and punches it away straight to the man at covers.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Virat Kohli, No run.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Virat Kohli, Starts off on the shorter length and bowls it around off, Virat Kohli decides to use his feet and comes forward before reaching out and slapping it away in front of deep point for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Virat Kohli, On the shorter side and around off, Virat Kohli goes across and on the back foot before working it away in front of square leg for one.

Mohammad Nabi to Virat Kohli, 2 runs.

Mohammad Nabi to Virat Kohli, Extra bounce! Quicker and shorter, angled in from around middle, Virat Kohli backs away to cut but is beaten by the additional bounce.

Mohammad Nabi to Virat Kohli, A bit shorter and at the stumps, Virat Kohli uses his wrists and swats the ball away to the right of mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Mohammad Nabi to Rishabh Pant, Nicely stroked away!

Mohammad Nabi to continue here.

Mohammad Nabi to Virat Kohli, A bit more round-arm and flatter around off, Virat Kohli goes back and across before working it away in front of mid-wicket for a single.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rishabh Pant, ! Easy pickings and Rishabh Pant is up and running! A half-volley angling onto the pads, Pant just flicks it away behind square leg and the ball races away into the fence. Still, a good over from Fazalhaq Farooqi and Afghanistan have made a fine start.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rishabh Pant, WIDE! Full and trying to attack the pads but this is spilled well down the leg side for a wide.

Rishabh Pant walks out to bat at number 3.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, ! CAUGHT! The change of pace has worked and Rohit Sharma has thrown his wicket away.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Virat Kohli, Tap and run! Back of a length and angling across the right-hander, it comes slower off the deck and Virat Kohli hangs back before angling it away to deep point for a run.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Virat Kohli, On a hard length outside off and angling away, Virat Kohli stands upright and punches it sweetly but straight to the man at covers.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Virat Kohli, WIDE! On the fuller length but pushed well wide of the off stump, left alone for a wide.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, Bowls this one back of a length and angles it away from the right-hander, Rohit Sharma presses back and just pushes it in front of point for a single.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, Fazalhaq Farooqi pitches the ball around leg stump and tries to shape it back in, Rohit Sharma gets down on one knee and looks to whack it across the line but misses and gets hit on the back leg. A big shout for LBW but the umpire remains unmoved. A wild slog from Rohit Sharma and he missed it completely and Afghanistan have taken the review.  The big question is whether it pitched in line or not. No bat on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows that the b

Mohammad Nabi to Virat Kohli, Bowled flatter and at the stumps, just holding in the deck a bit, Virat Kohli goes back in his crease and plays it back to the bowler.

Mohammad Nabi to Rohit Sharma, 1 run.

Mohammad Nabi to Rohit Sharma, No run.

Mohammad Nabi to Virat Kohli, Comes from over the stumps now and drifts it into the legs, Virat Kohli looks to flick off the front foot but misses. The ball rolls off the pads behind square leg and they get a leg bye.

Mohammad Nabi to Rohit Sharma, Bowled flatter and on middle and leg, Rohit Sharma gets inside the line and sweeps it hard through backward square leg for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Rohit Sharma, No run.

Who will bowl from the other end?

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, Nice and full, angling it across the off stump, Rohit Sharma reaches out to drive but miscues it towards mid-wicket for a single. 5 off the first over!

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, ! Sloppy from the fielder but Rohit Sharma and India are underway.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, Four dots on the trot, tidy thus far from Fazalhaq Farooqi. Nagging length on off stump, not quite full and Rohit Sharma clears the front leg to heave it across the line but the ball beats the inside edge.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, Pitched up right on the stumps this time, Rohit Sharma gets on the front foot again and just gently pushes the ball back to the bowler.

Done with the pre-match formalities! We can see the Afghanistan spread out and take their respective field positions. India are sticking with the same opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Interestingly, both have scored exactly 4042 T20I runs each. The leading wicket-taker in the World Cup so far, Fazalhaq Farooqi has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, No run.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, On the money! Begins from over the stumps and serves it on a good length, trying to shape it back in from around off stump. Rohit Sharma gets on the front foot and pushes it solidly towards extra cover.

We are moments away from the start of this big clash but before that, the players from both sides make their way out to the middle and line up for their respective national anthems. It will be India's first followed by the national anthem of Afghanistan.

PITCH REPORT - Ian Smith is pitchside.

Rashid Khan, the captain of Afghanistan says that they would have batted first as well but it doesn't matter much in T20 and it is all about the mindset. Adds that he is quite happy with how they have prepared and how the batters have gone about their business in 3 out of the 4 games and now it is all about controlling emotions and playing their natural game. Mentions that being here in West Indies from the start will help a bit and informs that Hazratullah Zazai comes in for Karim Janat.

The Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma says that they will bat first. He adds that it looks like a good track, flat and not much grass on it. He expects it to slow down later in the game. Mentions that it looks definitely better than New York but it was important to get the results there. Says that they had a good training session and will look to adapt well. Further adds, that it is different playing in the West Indies as in any other country, they start in the evening but here it is an early start

India (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav (In for Mohammed Siraj), Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Hazratullah Zazai (In for Karim Janat), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan (C), Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

... The Run Chase ...

Right then, the average total at this stadium is around 160 runs and India have surpassed that by 20 or so runs which will make things even more difficult for Afghanistan. A lot depends on their charismatic opening pair but the Indian bowlers will come hard at them. Can Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran lay the foundation for a famous win? Or will Jasprit Bumrah and co prove to be too much for them? Let's find out as the run chase is up next.

The star with the bat for India, Suryakumar Yadav is up for a chat. He says that he enjoys batting in the middle overs. Adds that that is the time when the opposition tries to slow things down, but he knew that they had a few left-handers to come and tried to keep the positive intent going on. Mentions that Rohit Sharma understands his game and it is a motivation when your skipper backs your game. Ends by saying that the total is good and they will give their best to defend it.

Afghanistan will feel they have let India off the hook a bit and now face a daunting task ahead. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mohammad Nabi started off very nicely and Farooqi got rid of the Indian skipper in the third over. A dropped catch from Naveen-ul-Haq allowed Pant to keep chipping away but the skipper, Rashid Khan stepped up and got a couple of quick wickets. The spinners however, didn't quite manage to build on and allowed the likes of Suryakumar Yadav to dominate them. Rashid did come b

A half-decent comeback by the Afghanistan pacers in the last four overs as the likes of Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi managed to pick up wickets but India will feel, they have got to a total they would have taken gladly at the start of the match. After opting to bat first, India had a sedate start to their innings and skipper Rohit Sharma looked patchy as he kept swinging at every other ball and was soon caught out. Rishabh Pant came in and provided some much-needed momentum which allo

Naveen-ul-Haq to Axar Patel, ! RUN OUT! An anti-climatic end to the innings but still 13 runs come off the last over!

Naveen-ul-Haq to Axar Patel, Naveen-ul-Haq has to reload that one! He goes full again but way outside off, Axar Patel lets it go and gets the wide.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Axar Patel, ! You bet he can! Naveen-ul-Haq bowls this slower, full and outside off, Axar Patel opens the face of the bat at the last moment, the ball flies off the outside edge over short third man for another boundary.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Axar Patel, Overpitched and on middle, Axar Patel drills it down the ground wide of long on for a couple of more runs. Can Axar Patel take India to 180 here?

Naveen-ul-Haq to Axar Patel, ! A freebie and Axar Patel takes full advantage here! This is a low full toss, outside off, Axar Patel crunches it through covers and as there is not protection in the deep, the ball races away to the fence for a boundary.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Axar Patel, Short of a length and outside off, Axar Patel cuts it uppishly but well wide of deep point for a brace.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Axar Patel, Naveen-ul-Haq nails the wide yorker this time, outside off, Axar Patel fails to lay a bat on it.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Axar Patel, Goes full but well outside off, Axar Patel leaves it alone. Wided.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Arshdeep Singh, No run.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Arshdeep Singh, 2 runs.

Arshdeep Singh walks out to bat now.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ravindra Jadeja, ! c Gulbadin Naib b Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ravindra Jadeja, ! Finds the gap!

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ravindra Jadeja, No run.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ravindra Jadeja, 2 runs.

Axar Patel walks in to bat now.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, ! TAKEN! Naveen-ul-Haq gets his man this time! No need of a review now!

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, ! LBW! Another big shout from the Afghans, and the finger goes up! However, Hardik Pandya has taken the review here.

For the third time in this inning, the ball seems to be lost and we will have another slight delay.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, ! OF THE PARK! Naveen-ul-Haq goes for the slower delivery, but serves this right in the slot, on middle, Hardik Pandya clears his front leg, uses all his power, and muscles it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. It sounded very sweet and we have lost another ball as this one goes out of the stadium. 98 METERS!

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, Pitches it up but way down the leg side, Hardik Pandya misses his flick. Wided.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, Back of a length and outside off, Hardik Pandya cuts it straight to point.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Ravindra Jadeja, 1 run.

Ravindra Jadeja is the new man in. Also, Naveen-ul-Haq (2-0-17-0) comes back into the attack.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, 1 run.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Suryakumar Yadav, ! c Mohammad Nabi b Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Suryakumar Yadav, ! FIFTY FOR SKY! He is not the number one T20I batter for no reason!

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Suryakumar Yadav, ! MASSIVE FROM SKY! Fazalhaq Farooqi goes slower again, a touch fuller and on middle, Suryakumar Yadav reads it early, puts his weight on the back foot and smokes it way, way over the long on fence for another biggie.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Hardik Pandya, 1 run.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Suryakumar Yadav, Good length and on off, pace on this time, Suryakumar Yadav gets a but hurried and miscues his heave towards long off for a single.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Suryakumar Yadav, Clever bowling! Fazalhaq Farooqi takes all the pace off here, back of a length and on off, angling away, Suryakumar Yadav goes way early through his slog and misses.

A slight halt in play as the ball seems to have been lost and the fourth umpire runs out with the box of balls again. However, the old ball is found and the match can now continue.

Noor Ahmad to Hardik Pandya, Fires this one in, full and on middle and leg, Hardik Pandya goes down to paddle it away but fails to connect. 12 runs off the over and India are on track for big total here!

Noor Ahmad to Hardik Pandya, ! SMACKED! Noor Ahmad gives this one some more flight but serves it in the slot, on middle, Hardik Pandya clears his front leg away and tonks it over the long on fence for a biggie.

Noor Ahmad to Hardik Pandya, Four!

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, 'Catch it' is the call but it lands safely!

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Tossed up, full and on off, Suryakumar Yadav pushes it wide of extra covers where the fielder makes a good diving stop.

Noor Ahmad to Hardik Pandya, Floated, short and around off, Hardik Pandya tries to smack it away but goes a bit too hard on that, ends up bunting it down to long off for a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Hardik Pandya, On the shorter side and outside off stump, Hardik Pandya rocks back and slashes the ball away in front of the point region for a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, 2 Wides!

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, ! As clean a strike as you'll see! Pitched up in the slot and outside off stump, Suryakumar Yadav goes deep in the crease and shimmies just a bit to the off side before getting under it and whacking it straight down the ground for another biggie. SKY yet again holds the pose!

Azmatullah Omarzai to Hardik Pandya, Quite full and flirting with the tramline outside off, Hardik Pandya opts to go chasing after it and almost falls over as he hammers the ball to deep cover for just a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, Too full and probably going beyond the tramline outside off, Suryakumar Yadav moves around and goes past the off stump before toe-ending the ball behind point for just a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, Nicely bowled! Gets the yorker in around the off stump line and Suryakumar Yadav can only manage to squeeze it out the deck on the off side.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, No run.

Rashid Khan to Hardik Pandya, ! Rashid Khan ends a good over with a freebie and Hardik Pandya doesn't miss out on it. Short and wide outside off stump, Pandya rocks back and slaps the ball in front of square on the off side to pick up a boundary.

Rashid Khan to Hardik Pandya, Good, attacking bowling from Rashid Khan here. Tossed up and drifting onto middle and leg, Hardik Pandya watchfully blocks it down the pitch.

Rashid Khan to Hardik Pandya, Lovely delivery!

Rashid Khan to Hardik Pandya, Floated up a bit, quite full and on the off stump line, Hardik Pandya blocks it off.

Rashid Khan to Hardik Pandya, Pushed through quicker and fuller outside the off stump, a hint of turn on this occasion. Hardik Pandya leans on to push it away but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Rashid Khan to Suryakumar Yadav, Drags the length well short and bowls it over off and middle, Suryakumar Yadav goes on the back foot and whips it away down to wide long on for a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Hardik Pandya, Slower one, floated up outside the off stump, Hardik Pandya looks to drive off the front foot but is beaten past the outside edge.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, Nice and full, bowled outside off stump, Suryakumar Yadav drives it square on the off side and picks up a single in the deep.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, ! Suryakumar Yadav seems to be in full flight at the moment. Overpitched and outside off, SKY gets on the front foot and forces the lofted drive wide of mid off and the ball runs away to the fence. SKY holds the pose after that shot as well and Azmatullah Omarzai is under pressure from the get-go.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, On a fuller length and outside off, Suryakumar Yadav gets on the front foot and hammers it away well wide of long off and picks up a couple of runs.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Suryakumar Yadav, ! Oh, that was audacious from Suryakumar Yadav and the 100 comes up for India. Azmatullah Omarzai looks for the wide yorker but serves a low full toss around the tramline. Yadav shimmies in his crease and eventually, he just plants his front leg well across the off stump and swats it away flat in between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a crunching boundary.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Hardik Pandya, Starts from over the stumps and bowls it slightly shorter around off, Hardik Pandya plays it late and with soft hands wide of deep third and picks up a single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, Back of a length and outside off, punched away on the up and through the cover region for a single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, Close but not close enough!

Is that a run-out at the non-striker's end?

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, ! Glorious from Hardik Pandya, absolutely glorious. On a good length and around off stump, Pandya walks down the pitch, keeps a still head and drives it nicely through extra cover for a lovely boundary.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Suryakumar Yadav, 1 run.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Hardik Pandya, Pitches this one up, pace on and around off stump, Hardik Pandya plays it on the up and pushes it gently towards cover for an easy single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Suryakumar Yadav, Starts the new spell from over the wicket and bowls it wider on the crease. It is slower too and angled into the pads, Suryakumar Yadav flicks it away through square leg and turns the strike over.

Hardik Pandya is the next man in for India.

Rashid Khan to Hardik Pandya, Seemed like the googly but it was on a shorter length and Rashid angled that one onto off and middle. Hardik Pandya with a solid block off the front foot.

Rashid Khan to Shivam Dube, ! LBW! Excellent review! A prolonged appeal for LBW from the bowler and the keeper but the umpire says no. Rashid Khan reviews it immediately as he feels it was pad first and then bat and the third umpire is called in. This is the regulation leg break, bowled flatter on middle and turning back in sharply. Shivam Dube opts to go on the back foot and is late on the dab and seems to have got a bit of glove onto the pads. However, the replays and UltraEdge conf

Rashid Khan to Suryakumar Yadav, A misfield from Noor Ahmad but it doesn't cost an extra run. Flighted up around the off stump line, Suryakumar Yadav leans forward and plays it towards extra cover for one.

Rashid Khan to Suryakumar Yadav, ! BANG! Every time these two go up against each other, Suryakumar Yadav seems to have the number of Rashid Khan. Another ball that is pretty full and pushed through outside off stump, Yadav plants his front leg across, fetches the ball and nails the slog-sweep over deep square leg for a biggie.

Rashid Khan to Suryakumar Yadav, Nicely bowled! The top spinner now, on a length and around off stump, Suryakumar Yadav leans on and gets the front leg across looking to sweep but misses. The ball goes off his arm and into the body.

Rashid Khan to Suryakumar Yadav, ! Runs right after the drinks break for Suryakumar Yadav. Tossed up full and on the leg stump, SKY gets inside the line and sweeps it firmly wide of the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Drinks break! The first innings is very nicely poised as Afghanistan have managed to get rid of India's top order and for the first time, Rashid Khan has been able to pick up wickets against India in this format. However, India now have a couple of players who are excellent players of spin and it will be a bit of a challenge for Rashid and Noor Ahmad to simply have their way. Let's see how the next 10 overs pan out.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Quicker one, full again and on middle, Suryakumar Yadav tucks it through square leg for one.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Darts this one full, on middle, Suryakumar Yadav flicks it away nicely wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Noor Ahmad to Shivam Dube, 1 run.

A slight delay here as the ball seems to have been lost in the crowd thanks to that biggie from Shivam Dube and the fourth umpire comes out to the middle with the box of balls. The onfield umpires pick one and play can get underway again.

Noor Ahmad to Shivam Dube, ! BANG! First one of the match!

Noor Ahmad to Shivam Dube, No run.

Noor Ahmad to Shivam Dube, Tossed up, full and on off, Shivam Dube drills it wide of sweeper covers for a couple of runs.

Rashid Khan to Suryakumar Yadav, ! Top shot! Rashid Khan gives this one some air, full and on middle, Suryakumar Yadav goes down, uses his wrists nicely and sweeps it away hard and wide of deep square leg for a boundary. 7 runs and a huge wicket off the over!

Rashid Khan to Shivam Dube, 1 run.

Rashid Khan to Shivam Dube, No run.

Shivam Dube is the new man in.

Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, ! c Mohammad Nabi b Rashid Khan.

Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, Uppish but safe! A bit short and outside off, Virat Kohli slaps it aerially but the ball just bounces in front of extra covers. The fielder fumbles a bit but no harm done.

Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, 2 runs.

Noor Ahmad to Virat Kohli, A single to end the over as this shortish delivery is punched to sweeper covers by Kohli. 6 runs off the over then!

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Noor Ahmad continues to bowl quick, drags his length back once more, Suryakumar Yadav mistimes his cut wide of point for a quick run.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Pushed through quicker, short again, on off, Suryakumar Yadav dabs it down to point.

Noor Ahmad to Virat Kohli, 1 run.

Noor Ahmad to Virat Kohli, Fires this one full but down the leg side, Virat Kohli leaves it alone. Wided.

Noor Ahmad to Suryakumar Yadav, Off the mark right away. Floated up quite full and on middle, Suryakumar Yadav gets on the front foot and wrists the ball away along the turf through mid-wicket for a single.

Noor Ahmad to Virat Kohli, Starts with a full and wide one, Virat Kohli reaches out and hammers it away to long off for a single.

Suryakumar Yadav is the new batter in. Also, Noor Ahmad has now been brought into the attack.

Rashid Khan to Rishabh Pant, ! LBW! A huge shout by the Afghans and up goes the finger! Is that the first wicket for Rashid Khan against India in T20Is? We will have to wait and see as Pant takes the review here.

Rashid Khan to Rishabh Pant, Off the pads! Rashid Khan dishes out the googly and bowls it full around the leg stump, Rishabh Pant goes down to sweep but misses and the ball just clips the pads as it goes past the keeper and runs away to the fence.

Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, 1 run.

Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, No run.

Rashid Khan to Rishabh Pant, 1 run.

Rashid Khan brings himself into the attack right after the Powerplay.

Rashid Khan to Virat Kohli, 1 run.

Mohammad Nabi to Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli gets lucky there!

Did the ball deflect off Nabi's hand? The umpires have gone upstairs to have a look but Mohammad Nabi isn't excited one bit.

Mohammad Nabi to Rishabh Pant, No run.

Mohammad Nabi to Rishabh Pant, Four!

Mohammad Nabi to Rishabh Pant, Four!

Mohammad Nabi to Rishabh Pant, ! Nicely played!

Mohammad Nabi to Virat Kohli, Risky single! Tossed up, full and on middle, Virat Kohli goes down and paddles it to short fine leg and sets off for the run, Pant responds well too. The fielder makes a direct hit at the batter's end but the replay shows that Pant has made his ground comfortably.

The Indians are wearing black armbands in honor of the late David Johnson, former Indian fast bowler.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rishabh Pant, Another slower delivery, bowled well into the pitch and over middle and leg. Rishabh Pant gets cramped for room and ends up just blocking it back on the deck.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Virat Kohli, Bowled back of a length and at the body, Virat Kohli tucks it off the back foot and in front of square leg for a run to follow-up the big hit.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Virat Kohli, ! 'Kohli goes down the ground, Kohli goes out of the ground.'

Naveen-ul-Haq to Virat Kohli, Back of a length and a bit wide of the off stump, Virat Kohli hangs back and punches it away straight to the man at covers.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Virat Kohli, No run.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Virat Kohli, Starts off on the shorter length and bowls it around off, Virat Kohli decides to use his feet and comes forward before reaching out and slapping it away in front of deep point for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Virat Kohli, On the shorter side and around off, Virat Kohli goes across and on the back foot before working it away in front of square leg for one.

Mohammad Nabi to Virat Kohli, 2 runs.

Mohammad Nabi to Virat Kohli, Extra bounce! Quicker and shorter, angled in from around middle, Virat Kohli backs away to cut but is beaten by the additional bounce.

Mohammad Nabi to Virat Kohli, A bit shorter and at the stumps, Virat Kohli uses his wrists and swats the ball away to the right of mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Mohammad Nabi to Rishabh Pant, Nicely stroked away!

Mohammad Nabi to continue here.

Mohammad Nabi to Virat Kohli, A bit more round-arm and flatter around off, Virat Kohli goes back and across before working it away in front of mid-wicket for a single.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rishabh Pant, ! Easy pickings and Rishabh Pant is up and running! A half-volley angling onto the pads, Pant just flicks it away behind square leg and the ball races away into the fence. Still, a good over from Fazalhaq Farooqi and Afghanistan have made a fine start.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rishabh Pant, WIDE! Full and trying to attack the pads but this is spilled well down the leg side for a wide.

Rishabh Pant walks out to bat at number 3.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, ! CAUGHT! The change of pace has worked and Rohit Sharma has thrown his wicket away.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Virat Kohli, Tap and run! Back of a length and angling across the right-hander, it comes slower off the deck and Virat Kohli hangs back before angling it away to deep point for a run.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Virat Kohli, On a hard length outside off and angling away, Virat Kohli stands upright and punches it sweetly but straight to the man at covers.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Virat Kohli, WIDE! On the fuller length but pushed well wide of the off stump, left alone for a wide.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, Bowls this one back of a length and angles it away from the right-hander, Rohit Sharma presses back and just pushes it in front of point for a single.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, Fazalhaq Farooqi pitches the ball around leg stump and tries to shape it back in, Rohit Sharma gets down on one knee and looks to whack it across the line but misses and gets hit on the back leg. A big shout for LBW but the umpire remains unmoved. A wild slog from Rohit Sharma and he missed it completely and Afghanistan have taken the review.  The big question is whether it pitched in line or not. No bat on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows that the b

Mohammad Nabi to Virat Kohli, Bowled flatter and at the stumps, just holding in the deck a bit, Virat Kohli goes back in his crease and plays it back to the bowler.

Mohammad Nabi to Rohit Sharma, 1 run.

Mohammad Nabi to Rohit Sharma, No run.

Mohammad Nabi to Virat Kohli, Comes from over the stumps now and drifts it into the legs, Virat Kohli looks to flick off the front foot but misses. The ball rolls off the pads behind square leg and they get a leg bye.

Mohammad Nabi to Rohit Sharma, Bowled flatter and on middle and leg, Rohit Sharma gets inside the line and sweeps it hard through backward square leg for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Rohit Sharma, No run.

Who will bowl from the other end?

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, Nice and full, angling it across the off stump, Rohit Sharma reaches out to drive but miscues it towards mid-wicket for a single. 5 off the first over!

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, ! Sloppy from the fielder but Rohit Sharma and India are underway.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, Four dots on the trot, tidy thus far from Fazalhaq Farooqi. Nagging length on off stump, not quite full and Rohit Sharma clears the front leg to heave it across the line but the ball beats the inside edge.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, Pitched up right on the stumps this time, Rohit Sharma gets on the front foot again and just gently pushes the ball back to the bowler.

Done with the pre-match formalities! We can see the Afghanistan spread out and take their respective field positions. India are sticking with the same opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Interestingly, both have scored exactly 4042 T20I runs each. The leading wicket-taker in the World Cup so far, Fazalhaq Farooqi has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, No run.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Rohit Sharma, On the money! Begins from over the stumps and serves it on a good length, trying to shape it back in from around off stump. Rohit Sharma gets on the front foot and pushes it solidly towards extra cover.

We are moments away from the start of this big clash but before that, the players from both sides make their way out to the middle and line up for their respective national anthems. It will be India's first followed by the national anthem of Afghanistan.

PITCH REPORT - Ian Smith is pitchside.

Rashid Khan, the captain of Afghanistan says that they would have batted first as well but it doesn't matter much in T20 and it is all about the mindset. Adds that he is quite happy with how they have prepared and how the batters have gone about their business in 3 out of the 4 games and now it is all about controlling emotions and playing their natural game. Mentions that being here in West Indies from the start will help a bit and informs that Hazratullah Zazai comes in for Karim Janat.

The Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma says that they will bat first. He adds that it looks like a good track, flat and not much grass on it. He expects it to slow down later in the game. Mentions that it looks definitely better than New York but it was important to get the results there. Says that they had a good training session and will look to adapt well. Further adds, that it is different playing in the West Indies as in any other country, they start in the evening but here it is an early start

India (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav (In for Mohammed Siraj), Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Hazratullah Zazai (In for Karim Janat), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan (C), Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.