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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.
Seeing Kohli all but recreate that famous Haris Rauf six, fans highlighted the similarities. But, Kohli wasn’t entire pleased with the attempt himself as he wanted the ball to travel a bigger distance for a six.
#KingKohli in his element
The master of chases played a stunning cameo in the 2nd #INDvAFG T20I – LIVE on #JioCinema, #Sports18 & ColorsCineplex.#IDFCFirstBankT20ITrophy #JioCinemaSports #GiantsMeetGameChangers pic.twitter.com/VFvA8uBZkY
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Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube smashed half-centuries as India thrashed Afghanistan by six wickets in the second Twenty20 international in Indore.
Jaiswal, who hit 68 off 34 balls, returned to the team along with star batsman Virat Kohli after the two missed the opening win.
Jaiswal put on key partnerships including a 92-run stand with left-handed partner Dube, who hit an unbeaten 63, as India chased down their victory target with 26 balls to spare and take an unbeatable 2-0 lead.
Top-ranked India have been unbeaten at home for 15 consecutive T20 series.
Their bowlers set up victory with left-arm spinner Axar Patel leading the charge with figures of 2-17 to help dismiss Afghanistan for 172 despite Gulbadin Naib’s 57.
Kohli, who played his first T20 for India since November 2022, made 29 in a partnership of 57 with Jaiswal after Rohit fell for a second successive duck.
Jaiswal took apart the opposition bowling after left-arm quick Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled Rohit and fellow fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq took down Kohli.
Jaiswal reached his fourth T20 half-ton for India and Dube, who starred in the team’s opening win, joined the charge to hit his second successive fifty.
Jaiswal hit five fours and six sixes before he fell to Karim Janat who struck twice in an over but Dube stood firm to steer the team home and gi past his previous T20 best of 60 not out.
With AFP inputs
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