Current Match Report – India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I 2023/24

India 159 for 4 (Dube 60*, Jitesh 31, Mujeeb 2-21) beat Afghanistan 158 for five (Nabi 42, Axar 2-23, Mukesh 2-33) by six wickets

Rohit Sharma had a low-key return to T20Is, run out for a duck, however India brushed Afghanistan apart within the first recreation in chilly Mohali.

Shivam Dube loved a extra productive return than his captain, although, following up figures of 1 for 9 in two overs with a punchy, unbeaten half-century that headlined India’s profitable chase of 159.

After dismissing Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran with a hard-length supply, Dube showcased his batting chops in opposition to each spin and tempo. Jitesh Sharma, who’s among the many most explosive finishers within the IPL, had an early entry level within the ninth over, and he too impressed with 31 off 20 balls.

Afghanistan, India commerce blows

Arshdeep Singh began with a maiden at his dwelling floor, however Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim obtained into their groove with ramped fours later within the powerplay. Ibrahim’s shot off the final ball of the sixth over was harking back to his ramp off Pat Cummins within the ODI World Cup final 12 months.Ibrahim may have been dismissed on 1 had Dube not dropped a low catch at mid-off within the third over, off Arshdeep. He added 24 to his tally earlier than Dube redeemed himself by having Ibrahim caught at brief cowl within the ninth over. And simply when Gurbaz threatened to kick into a better gear, Axar Patel had him chopping on for 23 off 28 balls.

Axar and Washington do the job

Axar was a popgun firing darts on the stumps or only a shade exterior off. He additionally had Rahmat Shah, Afghanistan’s 30-year-old T20I debutant, chopping on, for 3 off 5 balls. Within the absence of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar got here away with 4-0-23-2.

Kuldeep Yadav, India’s first-choice spinner, was rested, with the crew administration giving Washington Sundar a go. The offspinner was requested to bowl an over every within the powerplay, center, and the dying. After giving up simply three runs within the fifth over, after which 11 within the seventh, Washington was referred to as upon to bowl the penultimate over of the innings.

Rohit’s different choice to check out Dube, however he went with Washington, who did an honest job with a 13-run over in chilly circumstances that made it tough for spinners to grip the ball. He may have additionally dismissed Najibullah Zadran had he hung onto a tricky return catch.

Mohammad Nabi top-scored for Afghanistan•BCCI

Afghanistan end properly

Mohammad Nabi (42), Azmatullah Omarzai (29) and Najibullah Zadran (19*) gave Afghanistan’s flagging innings some impetus within the slog overs.

Nabi turned 39 earlier this month. His son lately made his Beneath-19 debut for Afghanistan. Afghanistan have quite a few spinners and allrounders working their means up by means of franchise T20 cricket, however Nabi proved as soon as once more that he can nonetheless lower it on the high degree.

When Mukesh Kumar introduced mid-off up and darted brief balls into Nabi’s physique, he was prepared for it and tugged him away over midwicket. He additionally picked Ravi Bishnoi’s fallacious’uns and put him away.

Omarzai and Nabi departed in the identical over, however Najibullah dragged Afghanistan to a aggressive complete.

Rohit’s no-show with bat

It seemed much more aggressive when Rohit was run out for a duck within the first over of India’s chase after a mix-up with Shubman Gill. Gill wasn’t even speculated to play this recreation. India’s coach Rahul Dravid had locked in Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit as India’s first-choice openers for this T20I collection – India’s final earlier than the T20 World Cup – however a groin harm to Jaiswal compelled India to veer away from their plan. India have been additionally with out Virat Kohli, who was unavailable for this match for private causes.

Gill hit 5 fours in his 23 off 12 balls earlier than Mujeeb Ur Rahman had him stumped within the fourth over.

Dube dazzles

Dube is Chennai Tremendous Kings’ designated spin-hitter within the IPL. On Thursday in Mohali, Mujeeb was turning the ball each methods and even discovered a touch of swing within the early exchanges. Dube tempered his instincts and well noticed him off, scoring only one off eight balls from the thriller spinner.

Ibrahim then matched Nabi up with Dube, however the left-hander took the offspinner for 14 off 5 balls. Dube was additionally comfy in opposition to Afghanistan’s seamers although they do not have an specific fast of their assault. He reached his fifty off 38 balls after which completed the chase with a six and 4 off Naveen-ul-Haq.

Jitesh, who retained his place forward of Sanju Samson, dashed out of the blocks like he typically does for Punjab Kings within the IPL. Mujeeb returned to have him gap out within the 14th over, however Dube and Rinku Singh iced the chase for India.

Deivarayan Muthu is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo