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Record-breaking Rohit headlines India’s dominant win

Published

3 years ago

2023/10/11

Priyan

Rohit's 131 came off just 84 balls (pic Cricbuzz)

Led by skipper Rohit Sharma’s record-shattering 131, India mauled Afghanistan by 8 wickets in their 2023 World Cup clash in Delhi on Wednesday (October 11). Rohit bossed the chase right from the PowerPlay, making short work of Afghanistan’s 272/8 as India overhauled the target with 15 overs to spare to go second in the points table.

Short boundaries, quick outfield, flat wicket, modest target and dew all combined to make for a perfect setting for Rohit, who tore into not just Afghanistan’s attack but also a bunch of records. En route his scintillating 84-ball knock, Rohit became the highest six-hitter in international cricket surpassing Chris Gayle’s tally of 553, notched up India’s fastest World Cup century in 63 deliveries and overtook Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most hundred in the global event (six).

It wasn’t a brisk start from the get go – India had only 13 from the first-three overs of their chase before Rohit decided to single-handedly take the attack to opposition. Fazalhaq Farooqi had to be taken off the attack immediately after conceding 31 runs – four boundaries and two sixes included – in the space of just 10 balls. Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai met with similar fate after leaking a six and a four each in the next two. While it took Ishan Kishan nine balls to open his account in World Cups, the captain went past 1000 runs as he did the bulk of the scoring throughout his stay. India had 94 from Powerplay, of which Rohit had made 76 by himself.

Amidst all the carnage, Afghanistan inexplicably held back Rashid Khan until the 15th over despite the legspinner’s excellent record against Rohit in the other white-ball format (four dismissals). The Indian skipper had already raced to 88 off 52 by then, and India’s asking rate had dropped to a very comfortable 4.08. Rashid did not disappoint though, denying Ishan Kishan a half-century by just three runs. His googly got the better of Rohit too eventually, but not before he also came in the firing line. So relentless was Rohit’s assault that he had in fact flicked one – with impeccable timing – well over midwicket for a maximum.

By the time Rohit fell, India had already crossed the 200 mark in the 25th over. Virat Kohli (55*) and Shreyas Iyer (25*) built on that platform with an unbeaten 72-run partnership to take India over the line without any further hiccups. Though on a night where Rohit rained sixes, it was Iyer’s 101m hit off Mujeeb – the biggest of the tournament thus far – that stole the limelight. Soon after, Kohli completed the formalities with back-to-back fifties to kick-start his World Cup.

Earlier in the day, a 121-run partnership between Hashmatullah Shahidi (80) and Omarzai (62) had rescued Afghanistan from a precarious 63/3 but Jasprit Bumrah’s best World Cup haul of 4-39 only allowed them to post 272/8 after opting to bat. The two half-centurions managed to keep the Indian attack at bay for the majority of the middle overs, but Bumrah returned at death to deny them a shot at recovery.

In his four-over spell in the powerplay, consisting 19 dots, Bumrah had nipped the threat of a promising stand in the bud with the wicket of Ibrahim Zadran. The Afghanistan opener escaped a close LBW call early despite India’s review, but the pacer eventually had him nicking behind after a handful of fluent drives in his 22. Rahmanullah Gurbaz brought up the team fifty in the 11th over but was bounced out by Hardik Pandya soon after to dent another budding partnership. Two balls later, Shardul Thakur trapped Rahmat Shah in front to reduce Afghanistan to 63/3 just after the drinks break.

The fourth-wicket stand between the captain and a promoted Omarzai helped Afghanistan resurrect their innings. The pair did take their time settling in before stepping on the accelerator though. Besides a calculated risk Shahidi took in slogsweeping Ravindra Jadeja – because he knew India were one fielder short inside the ring – Afghanistan had endured 11 overs without a boundary. Omarzai broke the shackles finally in the 25th over when he took on Kuldeep Yadav, lofting him down the ground twice in three balls. Over the next 10 overs, Afghanistan amped up their run-rate by scoring 89 runs. The duo won the middle-overs battle, getting to their respective half-centuries en route Afghanistan’s second best partnership in World Cups.

While Shahidi duly dispatched the two short balls from Pandya to reach his half-century, the India vice-captain came back hard to in his next over by cleaning up Omarzai bringing curtains on the stubborn partnership. Afghanistan failed to find similar momentum again with Kuldeep returning into the attack to slow them down further. After troubling the Afghanistan skipper a few times, the spinner finally had him trapped LBW on 80 to wrap up a fine spell of 10-0-40-1.

Bumrah’s return at death spelled further trouble. From 184 for 3 in the 35th over, Afghanistan slipped to 235/7 as India’s lead pacer accounted for both of Afghanistan’s big-hitters – Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi – in the same over. Mujeeb ur Rahman and Rashid Khan threatened briefly but Bumrah ended the latter’s entertaining cameo on 16, restricting Afghanistan to a modest 272/8.

Brief scores:
Afghanistan 272/8 in 50 overs (Hashmatullah Shahidi 80, Azmatullah Omarzai 62; Jasprit Bumrah 4-39, Hardik Pandya 2-43) lost to India 273/2 in 35 overs (Rohit Sharma 131, Virat Kohli 55*; Rashid Khan 2-57) by 8 wickets

(Cricbuzz)

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Sun directly overhead Pandatharippu, Thellippalai, Varuthaleivilan, Vasavilan, and Manatkaadu about 12:10 noon today (15)

Published

13 mins ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from the 05th to 15th of April in this year.

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Heat Index at ‘Caution Level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 14 April 2026, valid for 15 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Eastern and Southern
provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on
the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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“I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!” – President

Published

23 hours ago

2026/04/14

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, issuing a New Year message, extend his heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, which symbolises the aspiration for renewal both physically and spiritually, is the foremost cultural festival of the people of this country.

During the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, traditional customs are upheld, with priority accorded to rituals and religious observances, and activities undertaken collectively at a common auspicious time. This shared cultural practice vividly reflects our nation’s identity before the world, as well as the strong socio-cultural bonds that exist among our communities.

We firmly believe that the future path of national development can only be shaped in harmony with this invaluable culture and our distinguished historical heritage. Accordingly, it must be recalled that all our future development plans have been formulated upon the firm foundation of these precious traditions and cultural values.

Moreover, the common aspiration embodied in the customs and rituals associated with the solar transition is the nurturing of a compassionate individual who values togetherness, respects others, and lives in harmony with nature. I believe that the virtues and values of unity reflected in these New Year traditions should not be confined to these few days alone, but should instead be demonstrated throughout the year in our daily conduct.

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As a nation, in overcoming these challenges together, I call upon all of you to further dedicate yourselves to enriching your lives through the values of togetherness, sharing, and solidarity exemplified during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season.

As we strengthen the achievements we have secured and move forward with unwavering resolve in the face of emerging challenges, I invite everyone to join hands in unity to realise the vision of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life” for all.

I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!