India make easy work of Afghanistan challenge to pocket T20I series-clinching win

Team India thrashed an undercooked Afghanistan bowling unit as they clinched an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the ongoing T20I series with a game to spare. It was another impressive batting display, with the batters chasing down the 173-run target in just 15.4 overs, an effort that came on the back of a decent showdown by the bowlers.

Winning the toss, India opted to bowl first. Despite a feisty start, the visitors found themselves ensnared in early troubles as Ravi Bishnoi drew first blood in the form of Rahmanullah Gurbaz (14). Gulbadin Naib looked in decent touch as he steered the innings with control from one end while the Afghan skipper put up a warring show of resilience at the other.

Axar Patel was quick to spot the chinks in the armour of Ibrahim Zadran (8) as he got to sneak one in through the gates, clipping the off-stump. Shivam Dube got the better of Azamatullah Omarzai in no time whatsoever as he departed for a paltry two.

Mohammad Nabi (14) did come together with Naib to push back the Indian invasion and was successful to a certain extent, only for Axar Patel to get the latter to produce a mishit as he was dismissed for 57. Ravi Bishnoi got the better of Nabi, leaving the visitors tottering.

A collective showdown from Najibullah Zadran (23), Karim Janat (20) and Mujeeb ur Rahman (21) did propel Afghanistan to 172 but the Indian bowlers managed to have the last laugh as they skittled out the visitors. Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the lot for the Indian bowlers with figures of 3/32 while he was aptly complemented by Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel as the duo shared four wickets between them.

Chasing 173, Team India were jolted early as they lost their skipper for a golden duck. With Rohit Sharma back in the hut, Virat Kohli joined hands with Yashasvi Jaiswal and forged a breezy 57-runs stand from just 28 balls. Kohli got out for 29 from just 16 balls, whacking five fours in the process.

However, the fall of the Kohli’s wicket would also be the last time that Afghanistan made an inroad as Dube, who emerged as the hero of the first T20I, came to the fore once again, pulling the strings of destruction emphatically.

The duo of Dube (63*) and Jaiswal (68) took India soaring to 154/3 from just 13 overs before the Indian opener fell for his tempestuous display against Janat.

 Jitesh Sharma failed to trouble the scorers but the remainder of the task felt like a cakewalk as Rinku Singh provided company for Dube, and the duo’s 17-run stand helped India cross the finish line. 

Axar Patel was awarded the Player of the Match for his crucial breakthroughs that changed the course of the game.