India and Afghanistan played out a memorable ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in Delhi on Wednesday. Led by a record-breaking knock from skipper Rohit Sharma and an inspired bowling performance from Jasprit Bumrah, India cantered to an eight-wicket win for their second win in as many games. The match, only the second meeting between the two sides in the ODI World Cups, also became the perfect occasion for Virat Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq to bury the hatchet. (Highlights | Scorecard | Full Coverage)
Former India captain Virat Kohli and Afghanistan pacer Naveen Ul Haq were involved in an ugly spat during a Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Lucknow Super Giants match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year. The incident snowballed into a massive controversy as both cricketers took their altercation to the next level in the customary post-match handshake. KL Rahul had to intervene and later Lucknow Super Giants mentor Gautam Gambhir was also seen fuming on the field.
That feud, and the ensuing controversy with fans having their say, became a major talking ahead of the crucial India vs Afghanistan, World Cup match at Arun Jaitley Stadium. Seemingly partisan Indian fans even chanted 'Kohli Kohli' to welcome Naveen when the Afghan star came into the bowl. But the script of their rivalry took an unexpected turn when the two players hugged each other.
"Crowd will chant for their home cricketers and that is what they did. It is his (Kohli's) home ground. He is a nice guy, a good player and we shook hands," Naveen was quoted as saying PTI. "It (what happened) was always in the ground, it was nothing outside the ground. People make it big. They need that stuff for their followers. He said (today), 'We are done with that and I said yes we are done with that.' We shook hands and hugged."
The 24-year-old has only played nine ODIs and he plans to retire from the format following the World Cup. "To be honest more international bowlers will opt out of ODI cricket because there is not much balance between bat and ball. I wish I would have played more ODI cricket but it is what it is," the Kabul resident added.
After the match, Naveen also shared a social media post, thanking Kohli. Popularly known as the King, the batting great was seen urging fans to stop trolling Naveen.
India started their 2023 ODI Cricket World Cup campaign with a big win against five-time champions Australia in Chennai on Sunday. Three days later, in an altogether setting, Rohit Sharma & Co. toyed with minnows, Afghanistan with the skipper himself leading the charge from the front -- hitting 131 off 84 balls in a knock laced with 16 fours and five fours. Kohli also played his part in the chase and remained unbeaten on 55 and 56 while also getting the honour of scoring the winning runs, a four off the last ball of the 15th over.
Earlier, Afghanistan won the toss and bravely opted to bat first. A cautious start, then a mid-innings fightback witnessed skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi playing a sublime knock of 80, off 88. And in Azmatullah Omarzai, Shahidi also found an able partner, who scored 62 off 69. But the Afghans found the trick and guile of Bumrah too big a test to handle.
India will now head to Ahmedabad for their epic showdown with Pakistan, scheduled for Saturday; while the Afghans will stay back in Delhi for their Sunday fixture against defending champions England. Afghanistan are so far winless.
