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Vijay Shankar battling to overcome toe injury for India

Vijay Shankar battling to overcome toe injury for India
© Reuters
India will move a step closer to a place in the World Cup semi-finals with victory over Afghanistan.

Vijay Shankar hopes to shake off a toe problem inflicted by team-mate Jasprit Bumrah in training in time for Friday's Cricket World Cup clash with Afghanistan.

After taking a full-bloodied yorker from Bumrah in the nets, all-rounder Shankar was put through his paces in fitness tests in Southampton on Friday.

India will hunt a fourth victory in five round-robin matches at the Hampshire Bowl on Saturday, with Shankar keen to feature again.

Asked if he will be ready to play on Saturday, Shankar replied: "Hopefully.

"Personally I've got a lot better. When you face someone like Bumrah you always expect that (a yorker). Still, sometimes we do miss that."

Shankar stood up well as India beat rivals Pakistan by 86 runs on the DLS method at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The 28-year-old took two wickets for 22 runs and then hit 15 not out as India came through their rain-affected clash in style.

Shankar is now determined to capitalise on that form.

"Definitely it gives any player confidence, the last game gave me some confidence, and especially playing against Pakistan," said Shankar.

"It was a very special thing for me, performing under pressure and coming out good.

"The team winning at the end of the day is really important, it felt really good."

Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib backed spinner Rashid Khan to hit back quickly after his battering at the hands of England.

Rashid was hit for a World Cup record 110 runs in nine overs as England powered to a 150-run victory at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

But his captain believes he has the fortitude to shake off that setback without delay.

"Rashid, I think he's one of the strongest players mentally now, and he learns everything very quickly." said Naib. "He also learns from mistakes.

"I saw him today and he's totally different. He didn't think about the last match, he's just focusing on the present and the future. So that's the best thing about Rashid."

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