• Source:JND
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India vs Afghanistan, 2nd T20I: Indian captain Rohit Sharma was left happy despite a disappointing outing with the bat as the host clinched the series against Afghanistan with a match to go.

India defeated Afghanistan by six wickets in the second T20I match at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Sunday, January 14.

While the hosts took a 2-0 lead in the three-match series, skipper Rohit was satisfied with the team ticking all the boxes ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.

 

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"We have been clear with what we wanted to do, very clear message to everyone and when you see a performance like that, you can be really proud," Rohit said during the post-match presentation.

"One thing is talking about it, but to actually go there and play that way is a proud feeling. The last two games, we've ticked a lot of boxes."

 

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Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube were the stars with the bat as both players smashed their respective half-centuries to help the team chase down the target of 173 runs.

After the early dismissal of Rohit for 0, Jaiswal ran the show as he went on to score 68 runs in just 34 balls on the back of five fours and six sixes.

He first stitched a 57-run stand with Virat Kohli (29) and then put up a 92-run stand with Shivam Dube to take the team closer to victory.

Dube was in full attacking mode and played a fiery and unbeaten knock of 63 runs in just 32 deliveries with the help of five fours and four sixes as India picked up a victory in just 15.4 overs.

"They've had a great couple of years, Jaiswal has played Test cricket now and even T20I. He has shown what he is capable of. He has the talent and has a great range of shots," Rohit said.

"Dube is a big guy, very powerful, and can take on the spinners. That is his role and he has come out and played two crucial innings for us," he added.

During the match, Rohit also became the first male cricketer in history to play 150 T20I matches.

"It is a great feeling, it has been a long journey starting way back in 2007. I've cherished every moment I have spent here," he said.

It is to be noted that, the series against Afghanistan is India's final bilateral assignment in the shortest format ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.

With the marquee tournament scheduled for June in West Indies and the USA, the Men in Blue are keen to finalise their picks and combinations with the upcoming IPL 2024 season also likely to play a helping part in the selection.