India vs Afghanistan, 2nd T20I: Shubman Gill Dropped, Virat Kohli Returns. What Rohit Sharma Said At Toss

14.01.2024 - 15:19 sports.ndtv.com

India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl against Afghanistan in the second T20I in Indore on Sunday. At the toss, Rohit announced two changes as Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal returned after missing the series-opener.

On the other hand, Shubman Gill and Tilak Varma missed out on a place in the XI. With the series against Afghanistan set to India's last assignment before the T20 World Cup in June, Rohit emphasised that the team wants to try out different things to prepare for the World Cup.

As far as the changes were concerned, Rohit did not reveal any details. "We are gonna bowl first. No particular reason. Just nature of the ground especially the small boundaries.

The things we were talking in our meeting, we were able to come out and execute that in the first game. We asked specific roles from the guys and they performed accordingly.

cricket India Cricket Team 2024 Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Tilak Varma Shubman Gill India Afghanistan

One of the most loved cricketers in India, Rohit Sharma arrived in the middle to bat with Yashasvi Jaiswal after the hosts bowled out England for 246 on Day 1 of the first Test in Hyderabad on Thursday. Rohit produced some fine shots with the bat, scoring 24 runs off 26 balls before getting caught by Ben Stokes on the 27th delivery on the bowling of Jack Leach. But, before departing, Rohit had a moment with a fan in the middle, who breached security to meet the India captain in the middle and touch his feet.

"Higher Win Percentage Than MS Dhoni And Virat Kohli": Rohan Gavaskar On Rohit Sharma's Captaincy

India captain Rohit Sharma won over fans and critics once again with his exceptional knock of 121 runs in the 3rd T20I against Afghanistan. Rohit's stunning show with the bat silenced many such voices that were questioning his place in India's T20I Team. But, it wasn't just Rohit's batting that was brilliant in Bengaluru on Wednesday but also his captaincy. Former India cricketer Rohan Gavaskar, speaking of Rohit's leadership, said the Hitman's style of leadership is the reason why has a higher win percentage than his predecessors, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.

"Virat Kohli Normally Does Not...": Skipper Rohit Sharma's Massive 'Intent' Remark In 3rd T20I

Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma marked their T20I return in the 3-match series against Afghanistan, making a case for themselves for T20 World Cup 2024 squad selection. While Rohit redeemed himself in the 3rd T20I with a century, after incurring back-to-back ducks in the first two matches, Virat scored a solitary 16-ball 29 in the 2nd match before departing for a duck in the third. Though Kohli's runs with the bat might not have impressed many, his 'intent' certainly left a mark on the skipper Rohit.

Watch: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Burst Into Laughter In Comical Chat With India Star

All-rounder Shivam Dube's return to the Indian side has proved to be a blessing for the team. Dube registered his second half-century in as many games on Sunday as India made a mockery of Afghanistan in the second T20I in Indore. The 30-year-old has made unbeaten 60 and 63 in the first two matches, helping India seal the series with a game yet to be played. Not only that, Dube has also chipped in with a few overs in the absence of Hardik Pandya, taking two wickets as well. Ahead of the match in Indore, Dube was part of a light-hearted chat with India captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli, who returned to the T20I side after a hiatus of more than 14 months.

Watch: Yashasvi Jaiswal Wins Incredible Sprint Race To Run Out Afghanistan Star In 2nd T20I

Yashasvi effected one of the rare modes of run-outs during India's second T20I against Afghanistan in Indore on Sunday. While a batter getting runout is quite a common scene in the field of cricket, it is rare to see both the batter and the fielder engaging in a sprint race towards the stumps during the dismissal. The latter case happened when Jaiswal and Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi both ran at the non-striker's end with full might the Indian star winning the race and running his opponent out.

Watch: What Virat Kohli Said After Fan Breached Security To Hug Him During 2nd T20I vs Afghanistan

The fan-following Virat Kohli has in India knows no bounds. As the Indian cricket team took on Afghanistan in the 2nd T20I of the series in Indore, a young man breached security to give the Indian talisman a hug. At that time, the India cricketer was fielding on the ground. After detaining the fan, cops took the young man to Tukoganj police station. A police official said that the youth had a ticket for the match and entered the Holkar Stadium from Narendra Hirwani Gate.