Stormy half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube drove India to a commanding six-wicket win over Afghanistan in their second T20 International in Indore on Sunday, giving the hosts a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Opener Jaiswal struck six sixes in his 68-ball-response to Afghanistan’s 172, while Dube, another left-hander, produced his second uninterrupted half-century in this series, hitting 63 off 32 balls as India completed the goal with 4.2 overs to spare.
Afghanistan were unable to form a large partnership, but Gulbadin Naib’s solid 57 off 35 balls established the groundwork for a competitive total. Najibullah Zadran (23), Karim Janat (20), and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (21) kept the momentum going when he was bowled by spinner Axar Patel (2-17) in the 12th over.
Afghanistan were all out on the penultimate ball of the game, losing four wickets in medium pacer Arshdeep Singh’s (3-32) final over, which included two run outs.
India’s pursuit got off to a difficult start as skipper Rohit Sharma was knocked out for a golden duck by Fazalhaq Farooqi (1-28). However, the 22-year-old Jaiswal pushed India ahead with a 57-run partnership with Virat Kohli (29).
Dube joined Jaiswal for the third-wicket stand, and the two added another 92 runs in the following seven overs, and by the time India lost two fast wickets to Karim Janat (2-13), including Jaiswal, the momentum had shifted slightly.
On Wednesday, the third and final T20I of the series will be played in Bengaluru.