India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline

India national cricket team vs afghanistan national cricket team timeline – The India National Cricket Team has a rich history in international cricket, consistently ranking among the top teams globally. Afghanistan’s national cricket journey is newer, but the team has rapidly evolved into a competitive force. The story of the encounters between these two teams symbolizes both the dominance of Indian cricket and the rise of Afghan cricket. Let’s delve into the timeline of their head-to-head clashes, from their first meeting to recent encounters.

Early Encounters

The Inaugural ODI Match – Asia Cup 2012 (19th September 2012)

• Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Result: India won by 23 runs
• Significance:
  This was the first-ever official match between the two sides. India, being the more established cricketing nation, entered the match as clear favorites. However, Afghanistan, a team that had gained international status only in 2009, impressed the cricketing world with a spirited performance.

Match Overview:

India batted first and posted a total of 159/5 in 20 overs, thanks to contributions from Virat Kohli (50 off 39 balls) and Suresh Raina (38 off 24 balls). Afghanistan’s bowling, led by Mohammad Nabi, kept the pressure on. In reply, Afghanistan showed their fight but ultimately fell short at 136/8 in their 20 overs. Ashish Nehra’s disciplined bowling helped India seal the game.

This match was more than just a victory for India; it symbolized the dawn of Afghanistan’s rise as a legitimate contender in international cricket.

Building Rivalry – 2014 to 2016

ICC World Twenty20 2014 (5th March 2014)

• Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Result: India won by 8 wickets
• Significance:
  India met Afghanistan again, this time in the group stages of the 2014 ICC World T20. This tournament was critical for Afghanistan as it represented their chance to prove themselves on the grandest stage.

Match Overview:

Afghanistan batted first, setting a target of 122/8 in 20 overs. Afghanistan’s Mohammad Shahzad was the standout with the bat, but the Indian bowling attack, led by Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin, kept the Afghan side in check. India chased down the target with ease, finishing at 123/2 in 15 overs. Virat Kohli top-scored with 50 off 39 balls. India’s dominance continued, but Afghanistan had shown improvement from their previous encounter.

ICC World Cup 2015 (22nd March 2015)

• Venue: WACA Ground, Perth, Australia
• Result: India won by 90 runs
• Significance:
  The 2015 ICC World Cup was another milestone for Afghanistan, as it marked their debut in cricket’s most prestigious tournament. Facing a powerhouse like India was a challenge, but Afghanistan’s performance was again commendable.

Match Overview:

India batted first, scoring 210/8 in 50 overs on a tricky pitch. Afghanistan’s bowlers, especially Shapoor Zadran and Dawlat Zadran, were exceptional in keeping the Indian batsmen under pressure. In response, Afghanistan struggled with the bat and were bowled out for 120 in 30.5 overs, with Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav leading India’s bowling attack. Despite the loss, Afghanistan had shown great promise, and their resilience was a sign of things to come.

The First Test Match – Historic Moment (2018)

India vs Afghanistan – The Historic Test Match (14th – 16th June 2018)

• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, India
• Result: India won by an innings and 262 runs
• Significance:
  This Test match was a significant milestone for Afghanistan, as it was their first-ever Test match after gaining full ICC member status in 2017. India, a cricketing giant, was chosen as their first opponent, making the event all the more special.

Match Overview:

India won the toss and elected to bat, posting a massive total of 474 runs. Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay both scored centuries, while Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled to contain India’s batting. In response, Afghanistan’s batting lineup faltered under pressure, getting bowled out for 109 and 103 in two innings, as Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja took quick wickets.

This match was a reality check for Afghanistan, highlighting the challenges of transitioning from limited-overs cricket to the longer format. However, their debut in Test cricket was a historic achievement, and it marked the beginning of their journey in the traditional form of the game.

ICC World Cup 2019 – A Thriller

ICC World Cup 2019 (22nd June 2019)

• Venue: Rose Bowl, Southampton, England
• Result: India won by 11 runs
• Significance:
  The World Cup 2019 match between India and Afghanistan is considered one of the closest and most thrilling encounters between the two sides. Afghanistan came agonizingly close to pulling off a historic upset.

Match Overview:

India batted first and struggled to build momentum, managing a total of 224/8 in 50 overs, with Virat Kohli scoring 67 and Kedar Jadhav contributing 52. Afghanistan’s bowling, led by Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan, was highly disciplined, keeping India’s famed batting lineup in check.

In response, Afghanistan mounted a serious challenge. Nabi’s heroic innings of 52 gave India a scare, but Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami’s expert death bowling helped India defend the total. The match went down to the final over, with Afghanistan needing 16 runs. Shami’s hat-trick sealed a dramatic win for India, but Afghanistan had won the hearts of cricket fans worldwide with their spirited fight.

Continued Encounters – 2021 to 2023

ICC T20 World Cup 2021 (3rd November 2021)

• Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Result: India won by 66 runs
• Significance:
  India and Afghanistan faced each other in the Super 12 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. India, having lost their opening matches, needed a big win to stay in the tournament, while Afghanistan was riding high after some impressive performances.

Match Overview:

India’s batting lineup finally clicked, as they posted a mammoth total of 210/2 in 20 overs, with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul scoring fifties. Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled to make an impact on a flat pitch. In reply, Afghanistan could only manage 144/7 in their 20 overs. India’s bowlers, led by Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammed Shami, controlled the game from start to finish.

Although India dominated this match, Afghanistan’s rise as a competitive team in the shorter format continued to be a focal point of their progress.

The Road Ahead

The India vs Afghanistan rivalry has grown in importance over the years. While India has maintained its dominance in terms of wins, Afghanistan has shown remarkable progress, especially in limited-overs cricket. Their rise is a testament to the development of cricket in war-torn Afghanistan, where cricket has emerged as a unifying force for the country.

As Afghanistan continues to improve and India remains one of the top teams in the world, future contests between these two nations are bound to become even more competitive and exciting.

Key Takeaways from the Timeline

• India’s Dominance: India has been the stronger team in most of their encounters with Afghanistan, reflecting their experience and depth across formats.
• Afghanistan’s Growth: Despite being a young cricketing nation, Afghanistan has shown consistent improvement, particularly in the shorter formats, where they have pushed India hard in several matches.
• Historic Moments: Afghanistan’s first Test match against India in 2018 and the 2019 World Cup thriller stand out as key moments in the rivalry between these two teams.
• Bright Future: As Afghanistan continues to produce world-class players like Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi, the gap between the two teams will likely narrow, setting the stage for more thrilling encounters.

Statistical Summary Of India national cricket team vs afghanistan national cricket team timeline