IND vs AFG: Watch - Shardul Thakur takes a relay catch at the boundary line to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Shardul Thakur has been the most impactful player for India against Afghanistan so far.

Team India got off to a decent start against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in Delhi. Indian bowlers had a wonderful first 15 overs against Afghanistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 league encounter. Pace bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur made an impactful comeback in India’s playing XI as he picked up a wicket to break Afghanistan’s building partnership and also took a magnificent catch at the deep backward square leg.

Shardul Thakur came in as off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s replacement in the playing XI and immediately made an impact with his presence on the field. Shardul Thakur took a magnificent catch to dismiss Afghan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (21). Gurbaz was looking set and dangerous for team India as he was trying to play a few strokes against Indian pace bowlers. He was looking to rotate the strike and kept the scoring rate going in their innings.

Shardul Thakur's marvelous effort on field

Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-edged a pull shot against Hardik Pandya that was sailing over the deep backward square leg boundary. Shardul Thakur was positioned there, and he jumped to catch the ball. Thakur took it on the first attempt, but as he found himself crossing the boundary line, he threw the ball up in the air again, allowing him extra time to recover and balance himself. Thakur got back on time to take a fine catch at the boundary line.

Watch the video here:

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Shardul Thakur was running high on confidence, and he went on to pick up a wicket in his next over. Thakur trapped Rahmat Shah (16) in front to give Afghanistan two back-to-back set-backs in the span of just four balls. Both Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah were looking good during the second-wicket partnership in Delhi. Shardul Thakur is India’s leading wicket-taker in ODIs, along with Kuldeep Yadav, after the 2019 World Cup in England.

Afghanistan are 3 wickets down by 83 runs in the first 20 overs. Captain Hashmatullah Shahid won the toss and elected to bat first against India. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Shardul Thakur have picked up one wicket each for team India so far. India are playing with four pace bowling options, along with Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja as two spinners in the playing XI. Afghanistan will be looking to post a decent total.