All-Round Shivam Dube Helps India Freeze Out Afghanistan In Chilly T20I Opener
NDTV
Shivam Dube made 60 off 40 balls for his second T20 fifty as India chased down their victory target of 159 with 15 balls and six wickets to spare at Mohali
All-rounder Shivam Dube defied bitterly cold weather to hit an unbeaten half-century and take one wicket as India eased to a comfortable win over Afghanistan in the first Twenty20 international on Thursday. Dube, a left-handed batsman, made 60 off 40 balls for his second T20 fifty as India chased down their victory target of 159 with 15 balls and six wickets to spare at Mohali. India lead the three-match series 1-0 as they prepare for the T20 World Cup in June. India's bowlers led by spinner Axar Patel restricted Afghanistan to 158-5 despite an attacking 42 by Mohammad Nabi on a chilly winter evening.
Temperatures plummeted to just nine degrees (48 Fahrenheit) in the northern city where summer heat can soar to a scorching 40-plus degrees.
Some players were seen using hand warmers to keep out the bone-jarring chill.
"It was extremely cold to be honest," returning skipper Rohit Sharma, who was run out for a duck after a mix up with Shubman Gill, said after the win.
He added: "There were a lot of positives, especially with the ball. Wasn't the easiest of conditions but our spinners bowled particularly well."
