In the 9th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, India emerged victorious against Afghanistan. What truly stood out was the intense rivalry at the heart of the game, notably the electric clash between Virat Kohli and Naveen ul Haq.
Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first, managing to put up a total of 272/8 on the scoreboard. Azmatullah Omarzai provided 62 runs, while their captain Hashmatullah Shahidi played a key role by scoring 80 runs in 88 balls. Their stunning partnership of 121 runs for the fourth wicket got them tantalizingly near to the 300-run barrier. However, their aspirations were destroyed by the powerful combo of Jasprit Bumrah, who took 4 wickets, and Hardik Pandya, who claimed 2 wickets.
Rohit Sharma took leadership of India’s chase straight from the outset, achieving his century in just 63 balls. His remarkable innings spanned 84 balls, during which he amassed 131 runs, containing an astonishing record of 16 fours and 5 sixes. Ishan Kishan chipped in with 47 runs, which included 5 fours and 2 sixes.
In the latter stages of the game, Virat Kohli, remaining undefeated at 55, and Shreyas Iyer, with 25 runs to his name, ensured India’s victory with 8 wickets to spare within 15 overs. Rohit Sharma’s remarkable performance earned him the Player of the Match accolade, marking his record-breaking 7th World Cup century.
Virat Kohli tells the Delhi crowd to not mock Naveen Ul Haq
Virat Kohli’s gesture on the cricket field captured the hearts of fans worldwide, as he set aside his differences with Naveen-Ul Haq and embraced him warmly during their encounter. This match marked their first meeting since the heated verbal exchange that took place during the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL), making Kohli and Naveen the central focus of the India-Afghanistan clash in the 2023 World Cup.
Also Read: Fans Reacts As Rohit Sharma Hits His 7th World Cup Century And Breaks Sachin’s Record
The spark between Kohli and Naveen ignited during the 2023 IPL game featuring Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The altercation even spilled over into the post-match handshakes, with Gautam Gambhir stepping in to voice his concerns to Kohli.
In a heartwarming turn of events, Kohli, having mended bridges with Naveen, took it upon himself to request the crowd’s support in ending any mockery directed towards his counterpart. In a viral video on social media, the former Indian captain can be seen addressing the crowd, urging them to cease any taunting of Naveen.
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