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In a thrilling showdown against Afghanistan, India showcased their cricketing prowess, chasing down a target of 172 with remarkable ease. Led by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s scintillating 68 off 34 balls and Shivam Dube’s unbeaten 63 off 32 deliveries, India secured the series win with one game to spare.
Jaiswal-Kohli Stand Drives India:
Despite losing Rohit Sharma early in the innings, the dynamic duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli displayed exceptional batting skills. Confident boundaries and timely sixes built a quick-fire half-century stand, putting India in a commanding position. Kohli’s departure, unfortunately, did little to deter the momentum as Jaiswal continued to dominate, ending the powerplay with India at 69/2.
The Jaiswal-Dube Dance-Off:
Jaiswal’s aggressive batting continued, punctuated by a straight six off Mohammad Nabi, while Shivam Dube joined the party with his first maximum. The duo engaged in a breathtaking display of power-hitting, with Dube smashing a hat-trick of sixes off Nabi to establish a fifty-run partnership in just 25 balls. The onslaught continued, with Jaiswal and Dube taking turns to torment the Afghan bowlers, leaving a trail of boundaries and sixes in their wake.
Was There Any Comeback from Afghanistan?:
Afghanistan showed a glimmer of hope in the 13th over, with Karim Janat dismissing Jaiswal and Jitesh Sharma in quick succession. However, with the required rate comfortably below 2.5 runs per over, Afghanistan needed a collapse from the Indian batting order. Dube and Rinku Singh, though, thwarted any hopes of a comeback, guiding India to a comprehensive victory.
Earlier… Afghanistan Positive but Spinners Strike:
Afghanistan, choosing to bat first, displayed positivity with Rahmanullah Gurbaz leading the charge. Spinners like Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel struck early, but Gulbadin Naib’s aggressive batting, including a 28-ball fifty, ensured Afghanistan finished the powerplay at 58/2, their highest against India. Axar Patel’s impressive figures of 2-17 kept Afghanistan in check.
India Pick Up Regular Wickets to Keep Afghanistan in Check:
Shivam Dube contributed with the ball as well, dismissing Azmatullah Omarzai with a clever slower delivery. Despite Gulbadin Naib’s resistance, Axar Patel’s brilliance removed him, and Afghanistan struggled to build partnerships. Bishnoi’s second wicket and a well-judged catch by Rinku Singh further dented Afghanistan’s hopes, restricting them to 170-plus.
Late Cameos Lift Afghanistan Past 170:
Najibullah Zadran’s late surge, featuring two sixes off Bishnoi, and contributions from Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Karim Janat lifted Afghanistan past the 170-run mark. Arshdeep Singh’s crucial wickets in the final over ensured Afghanistan finished at 172.
Conclusion:
In a high-octane encounter, India’s explosive batting, led by Jaiswal and Dube, outshone Afghanistan’s commendable efforts. With this convincing victory, India clinched the series, underscoring their dominance in the T20 format. As the teams gear up for the final game, the stage is set for another thrilling battle on the cricketing field.