The Indian Cricket Team registered a comprehensive 6-wicket win in the 2nd T20I match against Afghanistan played at Holkar Stadium, Indore on 14th January 2024. It was an impressive win by the Men in Blue as Jaiswal and Shivam Dube scored half-centuries that laid a strong foundation for the Indian team to chase down the target of 173 with 26 balls to spare.
Rohit Sharma made his return to the T20I arena after a gap of 14 months. He was dismissed without opening his account due to a huge mix-up with Shubman Gill in the first T20I at Mohali. The second T20I saw Rohit trying to hit a big shot and was bowled by Farooqi.
The Indian team sealed the 3-match T20I series against Afghanistan. Axar Patel has impressed in both matches so far picking 2 wickets each while Shivam Dube scored half-centuries in quick time. Yashavi Jaiswal looked impressive with his attacking style after missing the first T20I due to an injury.
“It was extremely surprising the way Rohit got out. He was playing just his first ball. He doesn’t play such shots. The ball went and hit his stumps. He got run out in the last match and was bowled for zero in this match. He hasn’t scored a single run in this series thus far,” Aakash Chopra said.
“Run-out was not his mistake but the shot selection was. There is no doubt about Rohit Sharma’s form and ability. However, he will have to be in form in the IPL and I feel he will bat like this only. We need 38-40, the runs he was scoring in the ODI World Cup, from his bat,” he added.
India will play their final match of the series at Bengaluru on 17th January before the World T20 tournament that will start in June. Men in Blue has been clubbed with Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and the United States of America with the top two teams to qualify for the Super 8 stage.
Rohit Sharma’s contest for opening slot
With the T20 World Cup coming up, the heat for the opening slot is going up as Rohit Sharma will contest with the likes of Jaiswal, Gill, and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad has been ruled out of the series due to an injury.
Virat Kohli made a strong comeback into the T20I arena with a quickfire 29 off 16 deliveries with 5 boundaries before being dismissed by Naveen UL Haq.
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