India secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan following a commanding six-wicket victory in Indore on Sunday. Openers Shivam Dube and Ishan Kishan spearheaded the chase with aggressive half-centuries, ensuring India crossed the finish line with relative ease.
Afghan Batting Falters Despite Nabi’s Heroics:
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Afghanistan’s innings got off to a slow start. The top order failed to contribute significantly, leaving Gulbadin Naib (57) and Mohammad Nabi (35) to carry the bulk of the scoring. Though the duo shared a crucial 60-run partnership, the lack of significant contributions from the other batters restricted Afghanistan to a modest total of 172/9. Mukesh Kumar and Ravi Bishnoi were the standout bowlers for India, picking up two wickets each.
Dube and Kishan Power India to Victory:
In reply, India got off to a flying start courtesy of Shivam Dube. The flamboyant all-rounder smashed boundaries at will, reaching his fifty off just 33 balls. Ishan Kishan joined the party soon after, contributing a well-paced 56 off 41 deliveries. The duo put on a 111-run opening stand, laying the foundation for the comfortable win.
Despite losing Dube and Kishan in quick succession, KL Rahul (26) and Virat Kohli (12) ensured India stayed on course. Rohit Sharma, playing his first match of the series, remained unbeaten on 11 as India chased down the target with an over to spare.
Key Takeaways:
- Shivam Dube’s 60 off 33 balls was the match-winning knock for India.
- Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi were the only bright spots in Afghanistan’s batting.
- India’s bowlers restricted Afghanistan to a below-par total, setting the stage for an easy chase.
- With an unassailable lead, India can experiment with their lineup in the final match.
Quotes:
- Shivam Dube, Player of the Match: “It feels great to contribute to the team’s win. I was just looking to hit the ball cleanly and it worked out today.”
- Rohit Sharma, India captain: “The openers gave us a fantastic start and the bowlers did a good job throughout the tournament. We’re happy to have secured the series win.”
Looking Ahead:
With the series already wrapped up, the final T20I in Lucknow on Wednesday will be an opportunity for both teams to experiment with their lineups and give fringe players some valuable match time.
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