India vs. Afghanistan, First Twenty20 International: Who Said What?

At Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Thursday, January 11, India triumphed decisively over Afghanistan in the opening Twenty20 International of the three-match series. All-rounder Shivam Dube scored his second T20I fifty and claimed a wicket with the ball as he shone both with and without the bat.

After winning the toss, Afghanistan was requested to bat first by India captain Rohit Sharma. Before Axar Patel and Shivam Dube quickly took three wickets in quick succession, the Afghan openers got their team off to a terrific start, scoring fifty runs for the first wicket.

In the 20 overs given, Mohammad Nabi struck a brilliant 42 off 27 to lead his team to 158/7. With Shivam Dube and Jitesh Sharma (31 off 20) leading the way at the bat, India easily reached the target in 17.3 overs in response.

The following are some talking points from the game:
1. Rohit Sharma’s unlucky exit

Unfortunately, due to a catastrophic misunderstanding with his opening partner, Shubman Gill, the Indian captain, who was making his T20I comeback after a 14-month absence, was removed on the second ball itself. Even as he walked back to the pavilion, Rohit could be seen getting upset with Gill.

2. The entire display by Shivam Dube

Dube was brilliant with the bat and the ball in the opening game, making it an unforgettable outing. He began by dismissing Afghanistan’s captain Ibrahim Zadran (25 off 22), and after two overs, he completed with figures of 1/9. Later, the southpaw hit his second fifty in a Twenty20 international match, and he was instrumental in India’s six-wicket victory with a stunning sixty runs off forty balls, hammering five fours and two sixes.

3. With the ball, Axar Patel shines.

Being the best bowler among the Indians, the left-arm spinner also had a superb game. Rahmat Shah (3 off 6) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (23 off 28) were both removed by Patel, who scored 2/23 in four overs.

Captain Ibrahim Zadran, who passed away in Afghanistan, said:

We were short by 30-40 runs. Unfortunately we lost the toss but the boys fought till the end. We were trying to have a good start in the powerplay. We lost wickets, one of us had to bat till the 14-15th over and that put under a bit of pressure. In the second innings, there was dew. Gripping was hard for the bowlers. We have to improve our fielding, we were a bit lazy. We’ll try to improve our batting as well. In bowling, there’s no issue.

Winning Captain, Rohit Sharma, India said:

It was extremely cold. Now I am okay. When the ball hits the tip of the finger, it was sore. In the end, it was good. Lot of positives, we got a lot from this game, especially with the ball. Wasn’t the easiest of conditions. Our spinners bowled really well and the seamers also did the job as well. These things happen (on the run-out). When it happens you feel frustrated, you want to be out there and score runs for the team.

Everything will not go your way. We won the game, that’s more important. I wanted Gill to carry on, unfortunately got out after playing a very good little innings. Lot of positives. Shivam Dube, the way Jitesh batted, Tilak as well and then Rinku is in good form as well. We want to keep trying different things – try and bowl our bowlers in different situations of the game, like you saw today, Washi bowled the 19th over.

We want to challenge ourselves in the areas we are slightly uncomfortable with and the bowlers are not used to that. We want to try and do that. Keeping all of those things in mind, we’ll try and do whatever is possible but not at the cost of the game. We want to make sure that we come out on top and play the game well. All in all, today was a good day for us.

Player of the Match, Shivam Dube, India, said:

It was really cold. I enjoyed playing on this ground. Playing after a long time and batting at number four, there was some pressure one me. I had one thing in my mind that I have to play my game. First 2-3 balls, I feel a bit of pressure, after that I just focus on the ball and I don’t think much on what’s going on. In T20s, I know what I bat, and I know I can hit big sixes, so I can generate runs any time. Bowling, today I got the opportunity and I executed what I needed.