Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott talked about their decision to hold Rashid Khan back for the ICC World Cup 2023 match against India.

India romped to an easy win against Afghanistan at Delhi. They restricted Afghanistan to 272-8 and chased down the target with 15 overs and eight wickets in hand to jump to second place in the points table.

Openers Rohit Sharma (131 in 84 balls) and Ishan Kishan (47 in 47) took the score to 94-0 after 10 overs before Rohit exploded in an array of exhilarating strokes, setting a plethora of records.

Curiously, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi delayed the introduction of Rashid Khan, not only their star bowler but one of the greatest white-ball spinners of all time, until the 16th over.

By then, India had cruised to 125-0, and the asking rate had come down to a no-risk-required 4.11. The decision drew criticism from some corners.

Rashid eventually broke the partnership by taking out Kishan in his second over, but by then, India were already 156. He also dismissed Rohit in the 26th over, but on 205, and could do little as he finished with 2-57.

“I didn’t hold him back. I think, Yeah, I think it’s just a case of – when Rash [Rashid], I always want to feel like, certainly in that instance, you want to get him into the game as soon as possible.

“The captain obviously had a feel or a gut feel that he wanted to go with, and that’s the case. I think that’s a captain’s [Shahidi’s] prerogative. And I think there is a case maybe when the ball gets a little bit older for Rash to bowl with it, and it gets a little bit more turn, it doesn’t skid on as much.

“So, there’s six of one half a dozen of the other. But certainly, you want a guy like Rash in the attack as soon as possible, so, it’s always something we’ll look at.”

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