Yesterday’s T20I clash at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali saw India secure a six-wicket victory over Afghanistan.
India took a 1-0 lead against the visitors with a convincing win, and the all-rounder Dube earned the well-deserved title of Player of the Match. Jitesh Sharma (31) along with Rinku Singh (16*), also played crucial roles in India’s victory in Mohali. Rinku, in particular, showcased his impressive finishing skills once again, proving to be a valuable asset.
Rinku Singh has emerged as a significant contributor to the Indian T20I team since making his debut, exuding confidence in his performances. His composed unbeaten 16-run cameo in the recent match offered a glimpse of his adaptability and poise at the international level.
After India clinched victory against Afghanistan in the first T20I at Mohali, Rinku Singh shared during the post-match conversation that a chat with MS Dhoni played a pivotal role in honing his skills for closing out games.
Rinku said, “I’ve spoken with Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni), he just told me to react according to the ball, keep your calm and I just do the same thing. I don’t think a lot while batting, just react to the ball.”
The southpaw batsman also mentioned that he’s quite familiar with batting at the sixth position, and this experience significantly contributes to his better understanding of the game. “I have got a habit of batting at 6 and finishing games, I’m feeling very happy with this job. I just try to talk to myself, batting at 6, I don’t have the chance to face too many balls or score too many runs, that’s the thing I keep telling myself,” Rinku further added.
Afghanistan set a challenging target of 158 runs in their 20 overs, thanks to stellar performances by Mohammad Nabi (scoring 42) and Azmatullah Omarzai (contributing 29). Their efforts played a crucial role in achieving a respectable total. India, however, faced an early setback in the chase, losing Rohit Sharma in the very first over. The innings saw a standout performance from Shivam Dube, who emerged as India’s top-scorer with an impressive 60 runs off 40 balls, featuring five boundaries and two sixes. Dube’s noteworthy all-round contribution earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award. Notably, he also made valuable contributions with the ball, taking two wickets in the first innings.
