IND vs AFG: 2nd T20I Review – Fierce Jaiswal, Dube seal series in Indore

Team India came into the second T20I determined to seal the three-match series and stood firm to their cause as they beat Afghanistan by six wickets in the second T20I on Sunday, January 14 at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore. After being put in to bat first, Afghanistan were bundled for 172 in their allotted 20 overs with Gulbadin Naib scoring the lone half-century.

India’s chase got off to the worst possible start as captain Rohit Sharma got dismissed for a golden duck in the first over itself which brought Virat Kohli to the crease. Kohli (29 off 16) and Jaiswal added 57 runs for the second wicket off 28 balls before the former lost his wicket against Naveen ul Haq in the sixth over.

Following his dismissal, Shivam Dube (63 off 32) walked to the crease and got involved in a massive 92-run stand for the third wicket with Jaiswal (68 off 34) for the third wicket which almost sealed the deal for India.

Earlier in the first innings, twin strikes from Axar Patel (2/17) and Ravi Bishnoi (2/39) reduced Afghanistan to 104/5 in 14.2 overs. A half-century from Gulbadin Naib (57 off 35) and cameos from Karim Janat (20 off 10) and Mujeeb ur Rahman (21 off 9) helped them get to 172 in their allotted 20 overs but it proved well below par against a batting line-up of India’s might

Top Performers of the Match

Yashasvi Jaiswal (68 off 34)

After missing on the first game due to a groin injury, Jaiswal rose to the occasion in the second T20I playing a brilliant innings of 68 off 34 balls. The southpaw smacked five fours and six sixes in his innings as he registered the fourth half-century of his career.

Arshdeep Singh (3/32)

The left-arm seamer picked the most wickets from both sides during the game finishing with figures of 3/32 in four overs. Arshdeep first dismissed Najibullah Zadran in the 18th over and later got rid of Noor Ahmed and Karim Janat to complete his three-for.

What’s next?

Both teams will next lock horns in the third and final T20I of the series on Wednesday, January 17 at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.