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"Shocked": Hero Of India's Last ICC Title, Currently Playing In IPL, Opens Up On Life On Sidelines, National Team Snub

The Indian cricket team is currently squaring off against Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series, where Rohit Sharma and Co have gained an unassailable 2-0 lead. This series is also India's final T20I series ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, which will kick-start from June 2 in USA. In the showpiece event, India will aim to end their ICC trophy drought, as their previous title came back in 2013 in the form of Champions Trophy. In that series, opening batter Shikhar Dhawan emerged as the Player of the Series. However, the 38-year-old batter has been overlooked for long in the national team. Some reports have suggested that the BCCI are clearly looking beyond him.

"Virat Kohli Will Lose...": Ex India Cricketer's Big Warning To Star Batter On T20I Return

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra expressed surprise at Virat Kohli's attacking approach during the second T20I between India and Afghanistan but also cautioned that if he starts playing at a much higher strike rate, he could lose his consistency, which has been one of his hallmarks. Fans in Indore and those watching through electronic devices had a reason to rejoice as 'King Kohli' made his return to the T20I format after more than a year following a crushing loss to England in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal. Virat put aside all debates about his strike rate within a matter of a few bat swings, batting with a strike rate of well above 150 and often dancing down the pitch to smash his trademark shots. There were no signs of rust whatsoever as he entertained fans during his brief but electric stay at the crease.

How Virat Kohli's "Small Chats" Enabled Yashasvi Jaiswal's 34-ball 68 In 2nd T20I vs Afghanistan

Talented Yashasvi Jaiswal is clear about his role in the Indian batting line-up and said he was just trying to give his team a flying start with a good strike rate in the second T20I against Afghanistan. Jaiswal's strokeful 68 off 34 balls at the top of the order and Shivam Dube's 63 not out off 32 balls helped India register a six-wicket series-clinching win as the hosts easily chased down the target of 173 with 26 balls to spare. "I have been told to go and express myself and I was trying to do that," Jaiswal said at the post-match conference on Sunday night.

"Hasn't Scored A Single Run": Ex India Star Blasts Rohit Sharma After Indore T20I

The Indian cricket team has the 3-match T20I series against Afghanistan in their kitty, having won the first two matches convincingly. While the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, etc. have impressed, skipper Rohit Sharma's form hasn't been the best. After getting run-out in the first match without opening his account, Rohit fell for a duck in the second match too. Though there is no question about the Hitman's ability, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has questioned his shot selection after the strange dismissal in the second T20I on Sunday.

Watch: Virat Kohli Recreates That Haris Rauf Shot Against Naveen-ul-Haq, But Remains Unimpressed

Marking his return to T20 internationals after a 14-month hiatus, Virat Kohli produced a fine cameo of 29 runs off 16 balls, showcasing a new approach to the shortest format of the game. During the course of his stay on the crease, Kohli hit 5 fours. Up against Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq, the player with whom he had an infamous spat during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season, Kohli almost reacted that T20 World Cup 2022 shot he had hit against Pakistan's Haris Rauf. While the Rauf delivery had gone for a six, the shot Kohli hit against Naveen fell just short and could only fetch him 4 runs.

Axar Patel Joins Ravindra Jadeja In Elite List After India's Win vs Afghanistan In 2nd T20I

Indian all-rounder Axar Patel completed 200 wickets in the T20 format and joined senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in an elite company. Patel reached this milestone during India's second T20I against Afghanistan in Indore on Sunday. In the match, Axar continued his good form with the ball, taking 2/17 in his quota of four overs. He took the wickets of skipper Ibrahim Zadran and Gulbadin Naib, who was looking dangerous after scoring a half-century. Now in his T20 career, Axar has 200 wickets at an average of 27.95 and an economy rate of 6.97. His best bowling figures are 4/21.

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.

"Tu Ja Aur Bindaas...": Yashasvi Jaiswal Reveals Rohit Sharma's Message Post 2nd T20I Heroics

Backed to open alongside skipper Rohit Sharma in the second T20I against Afghanistan on Sunday, Yashasvi Jaiswal made quite a statement with his 34-ball 68 in Indore. The promising youngster said it was all thanks to the "go out and express yourself" brief from the Indian team management, especially the captain. The 22-year-old's strokeful knock at the top of the order and Shivam Dube's 63 not out off 32 balls, helped India register a six-wicket series-clinching win here on Sunday as the hosts easily chased down the target of 173 with 26 balls to spare.

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Afghanistan Sport News

"Shocked": Hero Of India's Last ICC Title, Currently Playing In IPL, Opens Up On Life On Sidelines, National Team Snub

"Virat Kohli Will Lose...": Ex India Cricketer's Big Warning To Star Batter On T20I Return

How Virat Kohli's "Small Chats" Enabled Yashasvi Jaiswal's 34-ball 68 In 2nd T20I vs Afghanistan

"Hasn't Scored A Single Run": Ex India Star Blasts Rohit Sharma After Indore T20I

Watch: Virat Kohli Recreates That Haris Rauf Shot Against Naveen-ul-Haq, But Remains Unimpressed

Axar Patel Joins Ravindra Jadeja In Elite List After India's Win vs Afghanistan In 2nd T20I

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

"Tu Ja Aur Bindaas...": Yashasvi Jaiswal Reveals Rohit Sharma's Message Post 2nd T20I Heroics