India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline: A Historic Rivalry
The national cricket squads of India and Afghanistan have encountered each other multiple times in international cricket. Although India has dominated most encounters, Afghanistan’s steady rise in international cricket has made this rivalry more competitive. Here is a complete timeline of their key matches and milestones.
First Meeting – 2010 Asia Cup (ODI Debut for Afghanistan)
- Date: June 19, 2010
- Venue: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Sri Lanka
- Format: One Day International (ODI)
- Result: India won by seven wickets
- Match Highlights: This was Afghanistan’s first-ever encounter with India in an ODI.
- Afghanistan posted 115 runs, with Noor Ali Zadran scoring a fighting 50.
- India chased down the target comfortably, with Virender Sehwag leading the chase.
Afghanistan’s First Test Match vs India – 2018
- Date: June 14-15, 2018
- Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
- Format: Test Cricket
- Result: India triumphed by an innings and 262 runs
- Match Highlights: This match marked Afghanistan’s debut in Test cricket.
- India was dominated by centuries, from Shikhar Dhawan (107) to Murali Vijay (105).
- Afghanistan struggled with the bat, scoring 109 & 103 in their two innings.
- Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja led the bowling attack.
2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Thriller
- Date: June 22, 2019
- Venue: The Rose Bowl, Southampton, England
- Format: ODI (World Cup Match)
- Result: India won by 11 runs
- Match Highlights: Afghanistan nearly pulled off a major upset.
- India managed only 224/8 in 50 overs, with Virat Kohli top-scoring (67).
- Afghanistan, led by Mohammad Nabi (52), fought hard but fell short, scoring 213.
- Jasprit Bumrah’s death-over spell and Mohammed Shami’s last-over hat-trick sealed the win for India.
2021 T20 World Cup – India’s High-Scoring Showdown
- Date: November 3, 2021
- Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
- Format: T20I (World Cup Match)
- Result: India won by 66 runs
- Match Highlights: India posted a mammoth total of 210/2.
- Rohit Sharma (74) and KL Rahul (69) put up a 140-run opening stand.
- Afghanistan managed only 144/7 in response.
- Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan were Afghanistan’s best performers.
2022 Asia Cup – Kohli’s Historic Century
- Date: September 8, 2022
- Venue: Dubai International Stadium
- Format: T20I (Asia Cup Match)
- Result: India won by 101 runs
- Match Highlights: Virat Kohli smashed an unbeaten 122* off 61 balls, marking his 71st international century.
- India set a total of 212/2.
- Afghanistan struggled in the chase and ended at 111/8.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s five-wicket haul (5/4) crushed Afghanistan’s batting lineup.
2024 T20I Series – Afghanistan’s Near Upset in Super Over
- Date: January 17, 2024
- Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Format: T20I Series (Final Match)
- Result: India won after two Super Overs
- Match Highlights: Afghanistan put up an intense fight, forcing a Super Over against India.
- Rohit Sharma smashed 121* off 69 balls.
- The match went into two Super Overs, with India finally sealing the win in a thrilling finish.
Afghanistan’s Overall Growth in Cricket
While India has historically dominated the head-to-head encounters, Afghanistan has shown significant progress:
- Bowling Strength: Afghanistan has world-class spinners like Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi.
- T20 Franchise Players: Several Afghan players are now IPL regulars, gaining valuable international exposure.
- Competitive Edge: Afghanistan’s ability to push India into thrilling contests (like the 2024 Super Over match) indicates a bright future for Afghan cricket.
Head-to-Head Record (As of 2024)
| Format | Matches | India Wins | Afghanistan Wins | Tied/Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 (Tied) |
| T20Is | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
Conclusion: The Future of India vs Afghanistan Rivalry
Afghanistan’s rise in world cricket has been remarkable. From playing cricket in refugee camps to facing top teams like India, their journey is inspiring. While India still dominates in all formats, Afghanistan’s progress in the T20s and fearless approach make them an exciting opponent. With continued development, Afghanistan could soon register their first historic win against India.
FAQS on India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline
When did India and Afghanistan first play an international cricket match?
India and Afghanistan first faced each other in an ODI on June 19, 2010, during the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, where India won by seven wickets.
How did Afghanistan perform in their first-ever Test match against India?
Afghanistan played their debut Test match against India in Bangalore on June 14-15, 2018. India triumphed by an innings and 262 runs, with centuries from Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay and dominant bowling performances.
What was the closest Afghanistan came to defeating India in an ICC event?
The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup match was Afghanistan’s closest chance, where they restricted India to 224/8 and fell just 11 runs short despite a fighting half-century from Mohammad Nabi.
Has Afghanistan ever defeated India in international cricket?
As of 2024, Afghanistan has not defeated India in ODIs, T20Is, or Test cricket, but they have come close in thrilling matches, such as the 2019 World Cup and the 2024 T20I Super Over match.
How has Afghanistan’s cricket team improved over the years?
Afghanistan has shown significant progress, with world-class spinners like Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, strong performances in T20 leagues, and competitive matches against top teams, indicating a bright future for their cricketing journey.
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