India beat Afghanistan in second T20I as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube hit quick half-centuries
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube unleashed batting fireworks, blasting India to a six-wicket triumph over Afghanistan in the second T20I on Sunday, securing a decisive 2-0 series lead for the hosts.
Jaiswal, the 22-year-old opener, smashed six sixes in his blistering 68 off 34 balls, setting the tone for the chase of Afghanistan’s 172. Dube, the left-handed all-rounder, continued the onslaught with an unbeaten 63 off 32 balls, guiding India home with 4.2 overs to spare.
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Despite lacking substantial partnerships, Afghanistan put up a respectable total thanks to Gulbadin Naib’s gritty 57 off 35 balls. After his dismissal in the 12th over, Najibullah Zadran (23), Karim Janat (20), and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (21) kept the scoreboard ticking.
However, Arshdeep Singh’s fiery final over saw them lose four wickets, including two run-outs, to finish all out on the last ball.
While the Indore pitch provided a great surface for batting, India’s early loss of Rohit Sharma in the first over didn’t faze them. Particularly, the young Indian players embraced an aggressive approach, potentially hinting at the template for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
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India’s chase faced an early hiccup against Afghanistan bowling with captain Rohit Sharma’s golden duck against Fazalhaq Farooqi. But Jaiswal’s partnership with Virat Kohli (29) steadied the ship.
Dube then joined the party, partnering with Jaiswal for a 92-run stand in just seven overs. While India lost two quick wickets to Janat, including Jaiswal, the momentum remained firmly with the hosts.
The final T20I of the series takes place in Bengaluru on Wednesday which is IPL homeground of Virat Kohli with Afghanistan aiming to salvage some pride and India vying for a clean sweep.
