Shivam Dube proved his utility in India’s crowded batting lineup with a belligerent half-century to secure their six-wicket victory against Afghanistan in the opening Twenty20 International (T20I) at Mohali’s Inderjit Singh Bindra Stadium on Thursday.
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Left-hander Shivam Dube gave a good account of himself ahead of the T20 World Cup in June with an unbeaten 60 off 40 balls to help India overcome a 159-run target with 15 balls to spare.
Electing to field, India restricted Afghanistan to a modest 158-5.
The home side were rattled early in their chase with skipper Rohit Sharma, playing his first T20I in more than a year, run out for a duck in the first over.
Rohit Sharma drove the ball to mid-off and embarked on a quick single but Shubman Gill at the other end was busy watching the ball leading to an almighty mix-up that led to his captain’s dismissal.
Shubman Gill struck 23 but was stumped after he came dancing down the track only to miss the delivery from off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Tilak Varma (26) combined with Shivam Dube in a breezy 44-run stand to steady India but departed after Gulbadin Naib took a blinder at backward square leg.
Jitesh Sharma fell after a quickfire 31 but Shivam Dube could not be denied his half-century, which came in 38 balls, and he celebrated the milestone with a monster six before sealing their victory with a four.
The teams move to Indore for the second T20I of the three-match series on Sunday.
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