A masterclass in both batting and bowling led India to a comfortable 6-wicket win over Afghanistan during the second T20I at Holkar Stadium. With this dominant Sunday night performance, India now leads the three-match series 2-0. The target of 173 was chased down in a mere 15.4 overs, driven by explosive innings from Yashasvi Jaiswal (68) and Shivam Dube (63*). Earlier in the match, Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets to stifle the Afghan lineup. The two sides will meet for the series finale on Wednesday, January 17, where India seeks a whitewash and Afghanistan hopes for a final win.
Terrific hitting and a fine bowling effort powered India to thrash Afghanistan by 6 wickets in the second T20I at Holkar Stadium. Men in Blue sealed the three-match series 2-0 with a dominating victory on Sunday night. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube played blistering knocks of 68 and 63*, helping India to chase 173 in just 15.4 overs. Earlier, Arshdeep Singh throttled Afghanistan with a three-wicket haul. India will eye for the whitewash while Afghanistan will look to finish on a positive note in the third and final T20I which will be played on January 17, Wednesday.
The decision to bowl first proved inspired for Rohit Sharma, as Ravi Bishnoi struck early to get rid of Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 14. The momentum stayed with India as Axar Patel dismissed Ibrahim Zadran for 8, and Shivam Dube quickly removed Azmatullah Omarzai for just 2. Despite the collapse at the top, Gulbadin Naib showed class, playing some beautiful strokes to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Mohammad Nabi, the veteran campaigner, had a quiet outing and was dismissed for 14. Support came from Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat, who added 23 and 20 runs respectively. The highlight for Afghanistan was Omarzai's fighting 57 off 35 balls before he was finally undone by Axar. A quick 21 from Mujeeb Ur Rahman helped push Afghanistan to a respectable total of 172, with Bishnoi and Axar finishing with two wickets apiece.
India's reply started with a shock when Fazalhaq Farooqi sent Rohit Sharma packing for a golden duck. However, Yashasvi Jaiswal took charge immediately, playing an aggressive knock and finding the boundary with ease. He and Virat Kohli (29) stabilized the innings with a 57-run second-wicket partnership. Jaiswal was in clinical form, reaching his fourth T20I half-century in just 27 balls. Shivam Dube then joined the onslaught, smashing boundaries across the ground. Together, Jaiswal and Dube shared a rapid 92-run stand in only 42 deliveries, sailing India toward an easy victory.