ndia's middle-order batsman Shivam Dube smashed 60 runs in just 40 deliveries. With the help of Dube's knock India successfully chased down the target of 159 runs in 17.3 overs. The medium-pacer also registered the wicket of Afghan skipper Ibrahim Zadran to his name
India's batter Rohit Sharma walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal during the first T20I cricket match between India and Afghanistan, in Mohali. Pic/PTI
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma who has featured in the T20I match after 14 months on Thursday said that the team management will consciously put players in uncomfortable situations ahead of the T20 World Cup. The Afghanistan series will be Team India's last T20I series before featuring in the global showpiece starting in June. Rohit-led Indian side won the opening game of the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.
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The game marked Rohit's comeback to the shortest format after 14 months. "We want to keep trying different things - try and bowl our bowlers in different situations of the game, like you saw today, Washi (Washington Sundar) bowled the 19th over. We want to challenge ourselves in the areas we are slightly uncomfortable with and the bowlers are not used to that. "We want to try and do that. Keeping all of those things in mind, we'll try and do whatever is possible but not at the cost of the game. We want to make sure that we come out on top and play the game well. All in all, today was a good day for us," he said at the post-match presentation.
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India's middle-order batsman Shivam Dube smashed 60 runs in just 40 deliveries. With the help of Dube's knock India successfully chased down the target of 159 runs in 17.3 overs. The medium-pacer also registered the wicket of Afghan skipper Ibrahim Zadran to his name.
"There are lot of positives. Shivam Dube, the way Jitesh batted, Tilak as well and then Rinku is in good form as well." The Indian skipper could not open his account after his 14-month comeback in T20Is. The miscommunication with Shubman Gill while running between the wickets resulted in the wicket of Rohit Sharma for a duck.
"These things happen (on the run-out). When it happens you feel frustrated, you want to be out there and score runs for the team. Everything will not go your way. We won the game, that's more important. I wanted Gill to carry on, unfortunately, got out after playing a very good little innings."
Man of the match Dube also expressed his thoughts during the innings. "It was really cold. I enjoyed playing on this ground. Playing after a long time and batting at number four, there was some pressure on me. "I had one thing in my mind that I have to play my game. First 2-3 balls, I feel a bit of pressure, after that, I just focus on the ball and I don't think much on what's going on. "In T20s, I know I can hit big sixes, so I can generate runs any time," he said.
(With PTI Inputs)
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