India’s victory over Afghanistan in the inaugural Twenty20 International at Mohali on Thursday, January 11, was largely due to the outstanding all-around performance of Indian cricketer Shivam Dube. India jumped out to a commanding 6-wicket lead in the three-match series thanks to Dube’s outstanding bat and ball performance.
After reaching an undefeated fifty, he displayed his innate talent by making sixty runs off forty deliveries, complete with two sixes and five boundaries. His successful bowling was demonstrated when he got rid of Ibrahim Zadran in two overs with just nine runs given up. The India all-rounder disclosed in the post-match interview that captain Rohit Sharma had lavished him with praise following his masterpiece.
Shivam Dube outstanding contributions earned him the title of Player of the Match.
“It was a long time since I was batting at 4.” I was feeling a little under pressure, but I knew I had to play my game. I think about the ball and don’t think too much after the first two or three balls, depending on my style. I know I can hit massive sixes in Twenty20 cricket; therefore, I know I can get runs in any format,” Dube stated, as reported by India Today.
“Rohit Sharma stated I played pretty well and we’ll talk to help me do better in future matches. I had the chance to play with the ball today, so I took it,” he continued.
In a three-match T20I series, India is off to a flying start against Afghanistan.
In a compelling T20 clash at Mohali, Afghanistan set India a tough target of 159 runs, backed by a superb effort from seasoned all-rounder Mohammad Nabi. Indian batting duo Shivam Dube and Jitesh Sharma rose to the occasion, taking wickets at a rate of six percent and reaching the target with fifteen balls remaining. With Dube’s undefeated sixty and Jitesh’s quick thirty-one off twenty balls, India demonstrated their batting ability and won handsomely.