In a dazzling display of power hitting, Shivam Dube and Yashasvi Jaiswal led India to a resounding six-wicket win against Afghanistan in the second T20I, chasing down a challenging target of 173 with ease on Sunday. The victory not only secured an unquestionable lead in the three-match series for India but also showcased the team’s batting prowess.
Yashasvi Jaiswal was the early aggressor, smashing a sensational 68 off just 34 balls, including six towering sixes. His opening salvo set the tone for India’s chase, leaving Afghanistan’s bowlers in disarray. Dube, unbeaten on 63 from 32 balls, played a crucial role in steering India to victory, smashing four maximums in the process.
India completed the chase with a comfortable margin, finishing the game with 26 balls to spare. This commanding performance underscores India’s dominance in the T20 format.
Afghanistan, batting first, had a promising start with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, but the introduction of spin, with Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel, turned the tide in India’s favour.
Bishnoi, known for his early breakthroughs, dismissed Gurbaz with a well-laid trap, catching him at mid-on. However, Gulbadin Naib emerged as the aggressor, scoring a brisk 57 off 35 balls, including powerful shots all around the ground.
Axar Patel’s exceptional bowling, conceding only 17 runs in his four overs, provided a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Gulbadin, halting Afghanistan’s momentum. The wickets of Ibrahim Zadran and Mohammad Nabi further disrupted their innings.
India’s chase witnessed a thrilling start, with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s boundary off the first ball and a quick 29 from Virat Kohli. Despite Kohli’s dismissal, the duo of Jaiswal and Dube continued their onslaught, dismantling Afghanistan’s bowlers with brutal efficiency.
Notably, Dube’s unbeaten knock showcased his ability to anchor the innings, providing stability after the early departure of Kohli. The partnership between Jaiswal and Dube proved to be the defining factor in India’s convincing victory.
The win not only cements India’s dominance in the T20 series but also serves as a testament to the team’s depth in batting. As the series concludes, India will look to maintain their winning momentum, while Afghanistan aims to regroup and bounce back in the final T20I.
