Shivam Dube's Stellar Performance Guides India to Victory in Cold T20I Opener Against Afghanistan
Returning skipper Rohit Sharma acknowledged the challenging conditions but praised the team's positive performance, especially with the ball.
In a chilly T20I opener, all-rounder Shivam Dube played a pivotal role in India's victory over Afghanistan, securing a comfortable win by chasing down the target of 159 with 15 balls and six wickets to spare at Mohali. Dube, defying the bitterly cold weather, contributed an unbeaten half-century and took one wicket. His innings of 60 off 40 balls marked his second T20 fifty. India now leads the three-match series 1-0 as they gear up for the T20 World Cup in June.
View this post on Instagram
India's bowlers, led by spinner Axar Patel, limited Afghanistan to 158-5 despite Mohammad Nabi's attacking 42 on the chilly winter evening. The temperatures dropped to just nine degrees Celsius in Mohali, prompting some players to use hand warmers to combat the bone-chilling cold.
Returning skipper Rohit Sharma acknowledged the challenging conditions but praised the team's positive performance, especially with the ball. Axar and fast bowler Mukesh Kumar claimed two wickets each, while Dube, contributing 1-9 from his medium-pace bowling, played a crucial role.
Dube's batting prowess shone as he formed key partnerships, including a 45-run stand with Jitesh Sharma and an unbeaten 42 with Rinku Singh. The 30-year-old sealed the victory with a six and four, earning him the title of the man of the match.
Also Read:IPL 2024 Gets Major Overhaul: WPL Set to Kick Off Next Month, IPL Start Date Revealed
Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz established a 50-run opening partnership, but India's bowlers struck back, with Axar dismissing Gurbaz and Dube claiming Zadran. Despite Nabi's resilient 27-ball knock, Afghanistan finished at 158-5.
Virat Kohli was absent from the game due to personal reasons, and Afghanistan's Rashid Khan remains out of the series due to recovery from a back surgery. The second match is scheduled in Indore on Sunday.
