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Shivam Dube Joins Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli In Elite List After All-Round Show Against Afghanistan

India all-rounder Shivam Dube is off to a fine comeback run in T20I cricket, as with his superb all-round show during the second India-Afghanistan T20I at Indore, he joined the elite company of legends like Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli. Shivam is the seventh Indian player to take at least a wicket and score a fifty in a T20I match, but only the third player to do it on two or more occasions, with Yuvraj having done it three times and Virat having done it twice.

"Axar Patel Ahead Of Ravindra Jadeja": Ex India Star Makes Debate-Stirring Remark In T20Is

India all-rounder Axar Patel once again made a strong case for himself, bagging the Player of the Match award in the 2nd T20I of the 3-match series against Afghanistan on Sunday. Axar's ability to bowl economical spells and the talent to bat in multiple positions across the batting order make him an absolute asset to the team. Axar was also a part of the India squad for the ODI World Cup 2023 before being ruled out due to an injury. The all-rounder is in a strong position to seal a spot in India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad, but he has competition from Ravindra Jadeja for a place in the playing XI. For former India cricketer Parthiv Patel, however, Axar should be higher in the pecking order than Jadeja.

Watch: Virat Kohli's Reaction As Shivam Dube Tonks 3 Back-To-Back Sixes

With the T20 World Cup set to be held later this year in June, all-rounder Shivam Dube has boosted the hopes of his selection in India's squad for the marquee event. With all-rounder and vice-captain Hardik Pandya nursing an ankle injury since October last year, Dube's resurgence as a fast-bowling all-rounder has proved to be a blessing for India. In the ongoing T20I series, Dube has scored back-to-back half-centuries in the first two matches, also picking up two wickets in the process.

"Something That...": Shreyas Iyer Breaks Silence On Snub For India vs Afghanistan T20I Series

Shreyas Iyer is neither losing his sleep over snub for the Afghanistan T20s nor is he overtly worried about the upcoming England Test series after a forgettable run in South Africa. Iyer was not picked for the ongoing T20 series against Afghanistan and people in know of things said that his missing out had more to do with Indian top-order being stacked with right-handers. "See, right now I'm being in the present. I have finished the match which I was asked to play (Ranji game against Andhra). I came, and I executed, so I am happy with what I'm doing.

"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.

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Afghanistan Sport News

Shivam Dube Joins Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli In Elite List After All-Round Show Against Afghanistan

"Axar Patel Ahead Of Ravindra Jadeja": Ex India Star Makes Debate-Stirring Remark In T20Is

Watch: Virat Kohli's Reaction As Shivam Dube Tonks 3 Back-To-Back Sixes

"Something That...": Shreyas Iyer Breaks Silence On Snub For India vs Afghanistan T20I Series

"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