Cricket News

‘Naye ladkon ne jitwa diya’ – Fans react as India win first T20I against Afghanistan by six wickets

Published on January 12, 2024

In the first T20I of the three-match series, India and Afghanistan played each other at the I.S Bindra Stadium, Mohali. For the first time after the T20 World Cup 2022, Rohit Sharma led the team in the shortest format of the game. On the other hand, Ibrahim Zadran will lead the team during the series as Rashid Khan is ruled out.

Meanwhile, in this game, the home team won the toss and elected to bowl first, keeping the dew factor in mind. “No particular reason, the pitch doesn’t change here much, said Sharma at the toss.” “I would’ve gone with bowl first had we won. No problem, we’ll try to execute the plan in batting,” Zadran said. \

India playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Verma, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar.

Afghanistan playing XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen Ul Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

With the bat, the opening pair of Zadran and Gurbaz put together 50 runs in eight overs. After this partnership was broken, the team was reduced to 57/3. At this stage, the likes of former skipper Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omazai added 67 runs for the fourth wicket. They managed 158/5.

India won the game easily thanks to youngsters

In reply, the home team had a poor start as Sharma got run out on a silver duck. Shubman Gill (23) started well but was stumped out. Tilak Varma also started well but failed to score big. Jitesh Sharma (31) played a cameo and kept the team ahead in the chase. On the other hand, Shivam Dube (60*) helped the team win the game by six wickets.

This is how Twitter reacted

Shivam Dube. Well played. Comebacks are tougher than the debut…was on the bench throughout the home series vs Australia. Was dropped for the SA tour. Got his first opportunity today…and delivered the match-winning performance 👏👏 #IndvAfg
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 11, 2024

Running the bat through! 🦁🔥#INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/CB7aOB0gW0
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 11, 2024

Bowlers did well to restrict Afg to a below par score and then Dube and Jitesh partnership ensured no hiccups during the chase. Well played Team India 👏🏽 #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/vtvRM8eTBn
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 11, 2024

Dropped a catch earlier, got run out on zero, and then shouted at a young player like this. No hate for Rohit, but if it were Kohli, news portals, journalists, commentators, ex-players, etc., would have hanged him by now#INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/mhV3d2MQWR
— Yashvi (@BreatheKohli) January 11, 2024

Shivam Dube can bat
Shivam Dubey can Bowl
Rohit Sharma just bought an alternative of chapri Hardik Pandya
Who needs that injury prone when we already have someone like Shivam?#IndvAfg pic.twitter.com/zKBSCGJimG
— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) January 11, 2024

NBDC Chief T20 Rohit Sharma arrived in some style… Started this format again after 14 months with a gorgeous Duck🦆 #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/RTmC2RzQrF
— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) January 11, 2024

Our Sher in front of #SherSquad at #SaddaAkhada, it can’t get any better! ♥️#INDvAFG #JiteshSharma #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/EMwaVtO6Rg
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) January 11, 2024