India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I : The Men in Blue clashed with Afghanistan in the much-anticipated 1st T20I, and it was a rollercoaster ride of emotions at Mohali. Shivam Dube‘s unbeaten half-century played a pivotal role in India’s comprehensive six-wicket victory.
Let’s have a look into match highlights : India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I
Winning the toss, Rohit Sharma opted to bowl first, setting the stage for an intense battle. The Indian bowlers, led by Axar Patel, applied the squeeze on Afghanistan in the first 10 overs, claiming crucial wickets. Despite a fighting partnership between Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai, India managed to restrict Afghanistan to a competitive total of 159.
Afghanistan fought back valiantly after a shaky start, with Nabi and Omarzai stitching a 68-run partnership for the fourth wicket. The late flourish by Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat added valuable runs to their total. The stage was set for an intriguing run chase as India prepared to face the Afghan challenge.
India’s innings began with a mix-up between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, leading to Rohit’s early dismissal. However, the comeback man, Shivam Dube, showcased his prowess by smashing an unbeaten 60 off 40 balls. Dube’s innings, complemented by crucial contributions from Shubman Gill and Tilak Varma, guided India to a comfortable victory with six wickets in hand.
Playing the role of a finisher, Rinku Singh, unbeaten on 16 off 9 balls, gave a special mention to CSK legend MS Dhoni after the win. Singh, echoing Dhoni’s calm approach, emphasized reacting to the ball and keeping composure in the challenging situation of batting at number six.
With this win, India secured a 1-0 lead in the series, setting the stage for more thrilling encounters. The victory was a collective effort, with Dube rightfully earning the Player of the Match award for his stellar performance with the bat.
As India gears up for the T20 World Cup, this series against Afghanistan serves as a crucial rehearsal. The absence of key players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, coupled with the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming T20Is.
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