Cricket, often regarded as a religion in India, has a rich history that extends beyond its borders. Afghanistan, a rising star in international cricket, has rapidly gained recognition in the sport. Over the past decade, India and Afghanistan have faced each other on the cricket field, providing fans with thrilling matches and memorable moments. This article explores the timeline of encounters between the India national cricket team and the Afghanistan national cricket team, highlighting the significance of each match.
Table of Contents
Early Beginnings of Afghanistan Cricket: India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline
Afghanistan’s journey in international cricket began relatively late compared to other nations. In the early 2000s, Afghanistan was recognized as an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC). However, the team quickly climbed the ranks, gaining full ICC membership in 2017. Their rise was remarkable, given the challenging political and social circumstances within the country.
Afghanistan’s progress into international cricket saw them compete against top cricketing nations, including India. Their first encounter with the Indian team would be a major milestone in Afghanistan’s cricketing history.
India’s Role in Afghanistan’s Cricket Growth
India played a crucial role in the development of Afghanistan cricket. Afghanistan has often used Indian facilities for training and hosting international matches due to the country’s own lack of proper infrastructure. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also supported Afghanistan’s inclusion into the Test cricket fold, helping them make their Test debut against India in 2018.
First Encounter in ODI Format
The first official match between India and Afghanistan took place during the 2014 Asia Cup, a tournament featuring top teams from Asia. While India was a seasoned cricketing powerhouse, Afghanistan was a relatively new contender in international cricket. This match served as a stepping stone for Afghanistan to compete at the highest level.
Notable Encounters Between India and Afghanistan
Here is a comprehensive timeline of notable matches between the India national cricket team and the Afghanistan national cricket team:
| Date | Format | Tournament | Venue | Result | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 5, 2014 | ODI | Asia Cup 2014 | Shere Bangla National Stadium, Bangladesh | India won by 8 wickets | Afghanistan’s first major ODI against India. |
| June 14, 2018 | Test | Afghanistan’s Test Debut | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, India | India won by an innings and 262 runs | Afghanistan’s debut in Test cricket. |
| September 25, 2018 | ODI | Asia Cup 2018 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, UAE | Match tied | Afghanistan stunned India by tying a close game. |
| June 22, 2019 | ODI | ICC World Cup 2019 | Rose Bowl, Southampton, England | India won by 11 runs | Afghanistan almost chased down India’s target, showcasing resilience. |
| November 3, 2023 | ODI | ICC World Cup 2023 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, India | India won by 5 wickets | India chased Afghanistan’s target comfortably. |
Detailed Analysis of Key Matches
1. Asia Cup 2014: India’s Dominance
- Date: March 5, 2014
- Format: ODI
- Result: India won by 8 wickets
India and Afghanistan‘s first encounter came during the Asia Cup 2014. India, already a cricketing giant, fielded a relatively strong side. Afghanistan, being the underdog, showed great spirit but was unable to match India’s experience and skill level.
In the match, Afghanistan batted first, posting a modest total of 159 runs. India, led by Virat Kohli, easily chased down the target in just 32.2 overs. India’s spinners, led by Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, stifled Afghanistan’s batting lineup, restricting their ability to score freely.
While the match ended in a one-sided contest, it marked the beginning of a competitive journey for Afghanistan, providing them with valuable experience.
2. Afghanistan’s Test Debut (2018)
- Date: June 14, 2018
- Format: Test Match
- Result: India won by an innings and 262 runs
This match was of historical significance as it was Afghanistan’s first-ever Test match. India, being one of the most established Test-playing nations, hosted Afghanistan for their inaugural Test at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
India’s dominance in the match was evident from the very start. India scored 474 runs in their first innings, with Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay scoring centuries. Afghanistan, despite showing occasional moments of brilliance with the ball, particularly from spinners like Rashid Khan, struggled with their batting. They were bowled out for 109 and 103 in their two innings, leading to an innings defeat.
However, the match represented more than just a result. It was a symbol of Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket, with India being a supportive neighbor, offering them the platform to play their first Test.
3. Asia Cup 2018: A Thrilling Tie
- Date: September 25, 2018
- Format: ODI
- Result: Match tied
One of the most memorable encounters between India and Afghanistan came in the 2018 Asia Cup, where the two teams produced a thrilling tie in Dubai.
Afghanistan batted first, scoring 252 for 8 in 50 overs. Mohammad Shahzad was the standout performer, smashing a century. India, without some of their key players, seemed on course to chase the target but faced some setbacks. The match saw ebbs and flows, with Afghanistan’s spinners, particularly Rashid Khan, putting immense pressure on the Indian batting order.
In the final over, with India needing 7 runs, Afghanistan managed to tie the game, giving their fans a moment of joy. The match was a testament to how far Afghanistan had come as a cricketing nation, managing to hold a strong Indian side to a draw.
4. ICC World Cup 2019: A Narrow Victory for India
- Date: June 22, 2019
- Format: ODI
- Result: India won by 11 runs
Another iconic match between the two sides occurred during the ICC World Cup 2019. India, considered one of the favorites in the tournament, faced a strong challenge from Afghanistan in Southampton.
Batting first, India posted a moderate total of 224 for 8 in 50 overs, with key contributions from Virat Kohli and Kedar Jadhav. Afghanistan’s bowlers, especially Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi, bowled economically, keeping India’s scoring rate in check.
In response, Afghanistan fought valiantly. They needed 16 runs off the last over, but Indian pacer Mohammad Shami took a hat-trick, helping India secure a narrow 11-run victory. The match was incredibly close and demonstrated the immense progress Afghanistan had made in competing with top-tier teams like India.
5. ICC World Cup 2023: India’s Commanding Victory
- Date: November 3, 2023
- Format: ODI
- Result: India won by 5 wickets
The latest encounter between India and Afghanistan came during the ICC World Cup 2023 in Delhi. Afghanistan batted first and put up a respectable total of 272 for 8, thanks to key contributions from their top-order batsmen.
India’s batting, led by Rohit Sharma, ensured a comfortable chase. Sharma’s century was the highlight of the match as India won by 5 wickets with 15 balls to spare. While Afghanistan showed glimpses of their potential, India’s experience and superior batting lineup proved too strong.
Conclusion
The matches between the India national cricket team and the Afghanistan national cricket team have evolved from one-sided contests to thrilling encounters. While India remains a dominant force in world cricket, Afghanistan has rapidly grown into a formidable opponent, capable of challenging top teams. Their encounters have produced unforgettable moments, symbolizing Afghanistan’s rise in the cricketing world and the shared passion for the sport between the two nations.
With Afghanistan continuing to grow and improve, fans can expect more exciting and competitive matches in the future. These encounters not only represent sporting contests but also a broader connection between the two neighboring nations. The India vs. Afghanistan cricket rivalry is poised to create more memorable moments on the global stage.
