IND vs AFG: [WATCH] Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma Combine To Dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz With Stunning Effort

Team India wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma and all-rounder Axar Patel combined to provide India a breakthrough during the first T20I against Afghanistan on Thursday, January 11 at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. Jitesh Sharma’s stunning fielding effort sent Rahmanullah Gurbaz back to the pavilion.

Batting first, Afghanistan started well putting on an unbeaten fifty-run opening stand. In the eighth over, Axar Patel and Jitesh Sharma combined to break the partnership. Axar Patel bowled a flighted delivery to Rahmanullah Gurbaz who came down the pitch and swung across. However, the bowler smartly pulled the length back to deceive Gurbaz.

The Afghanistan opener still went ahead with the shot but completely missed the delivery. The ball went to wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma who did well to keep his focus and effect the stumping to send Rahmanullah Gurbaz back to the hut for 23 runs off 28 deliveries. The batter slammed a couple of boundaries and a six in the innings.

Watch the video here:

Yashasvi Jaiswal misses first T20I against Afghanistan

Team India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was unavailable for selection for the first T20I against Afghanistan on Thursday, January 11 in Mohali. He missed out on the game due to a sore right groin, confirmed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Shubman Gill is likely to open the innings with Rohit Sharma in Jaiswal’s absence. Meanwhile, Rahmat Shah made his T20I debut for Afghanistan in the match. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl first.

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar

Afghanistan (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran (c), Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

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