India thrash Afghanistan in 2nd T20I, seal series: Key stats
India beat Afghanistan in the 2nd T20I at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore, on January 14. The Men in Blue successfully chased down 173, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube powering them. Virat Kohli's 29-run cameo also grabbed the eyeballs. Earlier, Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel starred with the ball, while Gulbadin Naib smashed a fifty. India now have an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
A look at the match summary
Afghanistan showed attacking instincts after India invited them to bat. They reached 50 in the sixth over despite losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz. However, they lost three more wickets before the 100-run mark. Cameos from Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman helped Afghanistan reach 172. Although India lost skipper Rohit Sharma early, Jaiswal and Kohli neutralized. Dube's 63*(32) got India home in 15.4 overs.
Jaiswal plays a blinder
While Rohit departed for a golden duck, Jaiswal attacked from the outset. He added 57 runs with Kohli for the second wicket, setting the tone of India's innings. The former remained unscathed even after Kohli departed. Jaiswal's 92-run stand with Dube helped India outclass Afghanistan. He eventually smashed a 34-ball 68 (5 fours and 6 sixes). It was his fourth T20I fifty.
Dube continues with his exploits
While Jaiswal and Kohli made light work of the target, the latter's departure exposed Dube to the center. Dube, who scored a half-century in the series opener, continued with his exploits. He took India past 150 along with Jaiswal. The former returned unbeaten, having slammed an unbeaten 63(32). His knock had 5 fours and 4 sixes. Dube slammed his third T20I half-century.
Fastest T20I fifty for India against Afghanistan
Dube slammed a 22-ball half-century, the fastest fifty for India against Afghanistan in T20I cricket. Overall, this is the third-fastest half-century in this regard after Paul Stirling (17 balls, Dubai, 2012) and Sean Williams (21 balls, Bulawayo, 2015).
India, Afghanistan ace powerplay overs
Both Afghanistan and India aced the powerplay overs (0-6) in their respective innings. Afghanistan had a flying start as they accumulated 20 runs in two overs. According to Cricbuzz, Afghanistan's 58/2 is their highest Powerplay total in seven T20Is against India. On the other hand, India scored 69/2, their highest Powerplay total against the Afghans in the format.
Gulbadin Naib records his career-best T20I score
Naib arrived in the middle after Afghanistan lost their first wicket in the form of Gurbaz. The right-handed batter kept the scoreboard in check throughout his knock. Although Ibrahim Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai departed in quick succession, Naib's onslaught continued. He smashed 57 off 35 balls, a knock laced with 5 fours and 4 sixes. It was his second half-century in T20I cricket.
Third Afghanistan batter with this feat
Naib has become only the third Afghanistan batter with a half-century against India in T20Is, the others being Ibrahim Zadran and Noor Ali Zadran. He now has the second-highest individual T20I score by an Afghanistan batter against India.
Axar completes 200 T20 wickets
Axar Patel took two wickets for just 17 runs in four overs. With his second scalp, Axar completed 200 wickets in T20 cricket. The left-arm spinner also owns over 2,500 runs in the format. Ravindra Jadeja, who also happens to be a left-arm spinner and a left-handed batter, is the only other Indian all-rounder with the double of 200 wickets and 2,000 runs.
Rohit Sharma features in his 150th T20I
Indian captain Rohit has become the first-ever player to feature in 150 men's T20 Internationals. The 2nd T20I marked Rohit's milestone match. Interestingly, no other player has featured in even 140 matches. Ireland's Stirling follows Rohit with 134 appearances in the shortest format. Among Indians, Rohit's compatriot Kohli is the only other player to have played over 100 T20Is.
Afghanistan's highest T20I total against India
Afghanistan have recorded their highest total against India in T20I cricket. They scripted this record in the series opener in Mohali. Before this series, their previous highest total in this regard was 144/7 (2021 T20 World Cup).
An unfortunate golden duck
Rohit played his first T20I in over a year in the series opener. However, an unfortunate run-out made him depart for a duck. Rohit looked for redemption in the 2nd T20I but was at the receiving end this time too. Fazalhaq Farooqi knocked him over in the first over. The Indian captain registered his 12th duck in the shortest format.
Most ducks in T20Is (Full Members)
Rohit now has the most ducks in T20I cricket among full-member players. He overtook Regis Chakabva and Soumya Sarkar, each of whom own 11 ducks. Umar Akmal, Tillakaratne Dilshan, and Dasun Shanaka have 10 ducks each.
A look at other notable numbers
According to Cricbuzz, India's 173 is the second-highest successfully-chased target against Afghanistan in T20I cricket. They are only behind Sri Lanka, who chased down 176 against the Afghans in 2022 in Sharjah. It is worth noting that India are now unbeaten in 15 consecutive T20I series at home. The Men in Blue won 13 and drew two series in this regard.
