Team India whitewashed Afghanistan 3-0 in the recently concluded T20I series at home. Under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, Men in Blue showed their domination with comfortable victories in the first two matches in Mohali and Indore.
The third match at Bengaluru was an epic encounter with a double super over after the match was tied at regular time. The Indian team had the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the T20I format after a gap of 14 months.
There were youngsters including Mukesh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, and Avesh Khan included in the team. Shivam Dube was given a chance to feature replacing Hardik Pandya.
3 positives for Team India in the T20I series against Afghanistan:
- Rohit Sharma Return to form
Rohit Sharma made a return to the Indian T20I squad after a gap of 14 months. He was involved in a mix-up with run out in the first over at Mohali. His disappointment continued with another duck during the 2nd T20I match at Indore.
Rohit Sharma showed his batting prowess in the 3rd T20I match at Bengaluru. The Indian team looked in deep trouble losing 4 quick wickets. He took the time initially on a tough batting pitch and then took charge with some big hitting.
Rohit smashed the Afghanistan bowlers all over the park and became the only batter in the T20I format to hit 5 T20I centuries. It was a sensational knock remaining not out on 121 that helped India post 212 for 4. He then produced brilliant runs in two Super Overs which resulted in India winning the match.
With the World Cup coming up in June, Rohit Sharma’s form would be a major positive. His hitting abilities to increase the tempo make him a dangerous batter to bowl at.
- Shivam Dube All-round Abilities
Shivam Dube played a key role for India in the first two matches at Mohali and Indore. During the first T20I match at Mohali, Dube scored 60 off 40 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes. He bowled with great control with figures of 1 for 9 in 2 overs. For his all-round effort, Dube was named the player of the match.
Dube then showed his class with another brilliant knock in the 2nd T20I at Indore. Chasing down 173 runs, Rohit Sharma and Kohli went cheaply before Dube smashed Afghanistan bowlers all over the park with 63 off 32 deliveries with 5 fours and 4 sixes that helped India register a comfortable 6 wickets win. His bowling was not great in the 2nd T20I match giving away 36 runs in his 3 overs and grabbing 1 wicket.
His performance in the 3rd T20I at Bengaluru was not great as he was dismissed cheaply and then conceded runs with the ball. It was simply a sensational outing for Dube which would create tension for Hardik Pandya.
- Indian Team Tested Under Pressure
The Indian Team had smooth sailing in the first two T20I matches at Mohali and Indore with victories by 6 wickets each in both matches.
Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to bat first in the 3rd T20I at Bengaluru. India lost 4 early wickets to Jaiswal, Kohli, Dube, and Samson. Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh stitched a record-breaking 190 runs for the 5th wicket that helped India post 212 for 4.
The inexperienced Indian bowling lineup struggled against Mohammad Nabi, Gurbaz, and Naib as the match ended in Super Over. Ravi Bishnoi held onto his nerves in the second over dismissing Nabi and Gurbaz defending 12 runs.
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