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With their chances of semifinals still hanging by a thin rope, India will again go for broke when they resume their battle for survival in the T20 World Cup in another must-win contest against Scotland.
Despite the annihilation of Afghanistan, India's semifinal prospects remain hanging in the balance thanks to the back-to-back drubbing against Pakistan and New Zealand. The Virat Kohli-led Indian camp is also chasing perfect swansong for its captain and another comprehensive victory will be an ideal scenario for the entire unit.
After their twin failures against arch-rivals Pakistan and bogey team New Zealand, the Indian batters struck form against an Afghanistan bowling attack.
Pakistan have already made the semifinals with four straight wins and New Zealand are favoured to join the Men in Green in the last-four stage from Group 2. But a loss for the Kiwis against either Namibia on Friday or Afghanistan next week, and India will be licking their lips.
The perfect opening combination
Rohit Sharma was at his best against Afghanistan, showing his elegant strokeplay and experienced batting approach.
Rohit did admit that some of the "decision making" wasn't correct and attributed it to the fatigue factor with the team being on the road for a least a week. His opening partner KL Rahul, and the swashbuckling duo of Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya, fired against the Afghans. The Indian batting force notched up an intimidating 210-run total before their bowling fired in unison.
A similar kind of performance will be expected from the Indian batters including skipper Kohli. Suryakumar Yadav will be there as well to bolster the batting, and so will be all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.
The Ashwin magic
India's bowling unit was also exceptional against Afghanistan. Ravichandran Ashwin marked his T20I return after a four-year gap with an excellent spell.
Finally, featuring in the playing XI after endless chatter around his absence, Ashwin not only picked up two wickets but was also very economical with the ball, giving away only 14 runs in his full quota of four overs.
Ashwin, who last played an international game in June in the World Test Championship, finally got a game after nearly four and half months. He was named in the playing XI after mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy developed a left calf issue.
"The return of Ash was the biggest positive, it was something he has worked really hard for," Kohli said at the post-match presentation when asked what was the biggest takeaway from the Afghan challenge.
Mohammed Shami will have his tails up after a three-wicket haul in the last match and so will be Jasprit Bumrah.
Even Scotland have had a hilarious instance over India's quest for the semifinals. Matthew Cross was caught on the stump-mic during their match against New Zealand, reminding his fellow teammate and bowler Chris Greaves that the whole of India is backing him.
