In the second Twenty20 international in Indore on Sunday, India defeated Afghanistan by six wickets to seal the series. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube both smashing half-centuries. Star batsman Virat Kohli and Jaiswal, who scored 68 off 34 balls, rejoined the team after the two failed to win the first game of the three-match series. Jaiswal forged crucial partnerships, such as a 92-run combination with his left-handed partner Dube, who scored an undefeated 63, as India chased down their win target and took an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Jaiswal, Dube help India win T20 series over Afghanistan
Despite Gulbadin Naib’s 57, bowlers Axar Patel, a left-arm spinner, led the way with figures of 2-17 as they bowled out Afghanistan for 172 to seal the victory. Playing his first Twenty20 match for India since November 2022, Kohli made 29 in a partnership of 57 after captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed for the second time in a row. After left-arm quick Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed Rohit and fellow fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq removed Kohli, Jaiswal dismantled the opposing bowling.
Dube, who was instrumental in the team’s first victory, joined Jaiswal in scoring his fourth T20 half-ton for India, and the latter hit his second consecutive fifty. Before falling to Karim Janat, who scored twice in an over, Jaiswal smashed five fours and six sixes. However, Dube held strong to lead the side to victory and surpass his prior T20 record of 60 not out. Naib, a batsman in the top order, earlier faced the Indian bowling assault with a 35-ball performance that included five fours and four sixes.
He reached his fourth T20 half-century for Afghanistan, but Rohit’s quick mid-wicket catch of Patel against him ended the innings. The wickets continued to fall, but Afghanistan’s score was increased by Najibullah Zadran (23 off 21 deliveries), Janat (10-ball 20), and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (21 off nine). Afghanistan was bowled out on the penultimate delivery by left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh, who finished with three wickets. Singh’s over produced four wickets, including two run outs. Ravi Bishnoi, a leg spinner, claimed two wickets.
