Fresh Fit Document - India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I 2023/24

Read Time:4 Minute, 26 Second

India 159 for 4 (Dube 60*, Jitesh 31, Mujeeb 2-21) beat Afghanistan 158 for five (Nabi 42, Axar 2-23, Mukesh 2-33) through six wickets

Rohit Sharma had a low-key go back to T20Is, run out for a duck, however India brushed Afghanistan apart within the first sport in cold Mohali.

Shivam Dube loved a extra productive go back than his captain, despite the fact that, following up figures of one for 9 in two overs with a punchy, unbeaten half-century that headlined India’s a success chase of 159.

After disregarding Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran with a hard-length supply, Dube showcased his batting chops in opposition to each spin and tempo. Jitesh Sharma, who is likely one of the maximum explosive finishers within the IPL, had an early access level within the 9th over, and he too inspired with 31 off 20 balls.

Afghanistan, India industry blows

Arshdeep Singh began with a maiden at his house flooring, however Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim were given into their groove with ramped fours later within the powerplay. Ibrahim’s shot off the ultimate ball of the 6th over was once harking back to his ramp off Pat Cummins within the ODI Global Cup ultimate 12 months.

Ibrahim will have been pushed aside on 1 had Dube now not dropped a low catch at mid-off within the 3rd over, off Arshdeep. He added 24 to his tally earlier than Dube redeemed himself through having Ibrahim stuck at quick duvet within the 9th over. And simply when Gurbaz threatened to kick into the next equipment, Axar Patel had him reducing on for 23 off 28 balls.

Axar and Washington do the task

Axar was once a popgun firing darts at the stumps or only a colour out of doors off. He additionally had Rahmat Shah, Afghanistan’s 30-year-old T20I debutant, reducing on, for three off 5 balls. Within the absence of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar got here away with 4-0-23-2.

Kuldeep Yadav, India’s first-choice spinner, was once rested, with the staff control giving Washington Sundar a move. The offspinner was once requested to bowl an over each and every within the powerplay, center, and the loss of life. After giving up simply 3 runs within the 5th over, after which 11 within the 7th, Washington was once referred to as upon to bowl the penultimate over of the innings.

Rohit’s different possibility to take a look at out Dube, however he went with Washington, who did a good task with a 13-run over in cold stipulations that made it tough for spinners to grip the ball. He will have additionally pushed aside Najibullah Zadran had he hung onto a difficult go back catch.

Afghanistan end smartly

Mohammad Nabi (42), Azmatullah Omarzai (29) and Najibullah Zadran (19*) gave Afghanistan’s flagging innings some impetus within the slog overs.

Nabi became 39 previous this month. His son just lately made his Below-19 debut for Afghanistan. Afghanistan have a variety of spinners and allrounders running their manner up thru franchise T20 cricket, however Nabi proved as soon as once more that he can nonetheless minimize it on the peak stage.

When Mukesh Kumar introduced mid-off up and darted quick balls into Nabi’s frame, he was once able for it and tugged him away over midwicket. He additionally picked Ravi Bishnoi’s fallacious’uns and put him away.

Omarzai and Nabi departed in the similar over, however Najibullah dragged Afghanistan to a aggressive general.

Rohit’s no-show with bat

It seemed much more aggressive when Rohit was once run out for a duck within the first over of India’s chase after a mix-up with Shubman Gill. Gill wasn’t even meant to play this sport. India’s trainer Rahul Dravid had locked in Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit as India’s first-choice openers for this T20I sequence – India’s ultimate earlier than the T20 Global Cup – however a groin harm to Jaiswal pressured India to veer clear of their plan. India had been additionally with out Virat Kohli, who was once unavailable for this fit for private causes.

Gill hit 5 fours in his 23 off 12 balls earlier than Mujeeb Ur Rahman had him stumped within the fourth over.

Dube dazzles

Dube is Chennai Tremendous Kings’ designated spin-hitter within the IPL. On Thursday in Mohali, Mujeeb was once turning the ball each techniques or even discovered a touch of swing within the early exchanges. Dube tempered his instincts and well noticed him off, scoring only one off 8 balls from the thriller spinner.

Ibrahim then matched Nabi up with Dube, however the left-hander took the offspinner for 14 off 5 balls. Dube was once additionally at ease in opposition to Afghanistan’s seamers despite the fact that they do not have an categorical fast of their assault. He reached his fifty off 38 balls after which completed the chase with a six and 4 off Naveen-ul-Haq.

Jitesh, who retained his position forward of Sanju Samson, dashed out of the blocks like he ceaselessly does for Punjab Kings within the IPL. Mujeeb returned to have him hollow out within the 14th over, however Dube and Rinku Singh iced the chase for India.

Deivarayan Muthu is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo

Supply hyperlink