India vs Afghanistan: Lot of positives to take from this game, says Rohit Sharma after hosts' six-wicket win in 1st T20I

India skipper Rohit Sharma on Thursday said that a lot of positives could be taken from his team’s six-wicket win over Afghanistan in the first T20I in Mohali despite challenging conditions. It wasn’t an easy win for the hosts on a cold night in Mohali. The Men in Blue lost Rohit and Shubman Gill in the powerplay overs, before Shivam Dube came in at number four and played a heroic knock of 60 not out to help India cross the finish line while chasing 159.

“It was extremely cold. Now I am okay. When the ball hits the tip of the finger, it was sore. In the end, it was good. Lot of positives, we got a lot from this game, especially with the ball. Wasn’t the easiest of conditions. Our spinners bowled really well and the seamers also did the job as well,” said Rohit at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Recalling the mixup between himself and Gill in the first over of the chase, when Rohit was run-out, the skipper said that it was hard not to feel frustrated to give away a wicket in that fashion.

Rohit was on strike and called on for a quick single after having driven towards mid-off. While Rohit set himself for the single, running all the way through to the other end, Gill was still inside the crease at the non-strikers’ end. This allowed wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz to strike the bails at the batters’ end to dismiss Rohit.

“These things happen. When it happens you feel frustrated, you want to be out there and score runs for the team. Everything will not go your way. We won the game, that’s more important. I wanted Gill to carry on, unfortunately got out after playing a very good little innings,” said Rohit.

Also read: Afghanistan were ’13-15 runs short’, says skipper Ibrahim Zadran

Rohit lauded the way Dube and Jitesh batted, while also acknowledging Rinku’s form. “Lot of positives. Shivam Dube, the way Jitesh batted, Tilak as well and then Rinku is in good form as well,” Rohit said.

“I enjoyed playing on this ground”: Shivam Dube

Shivam Dube came into bat as early as the fourth over, and while this did create a pressure on himself, he knew he had to play his style of game. Dube played an unbeaten knock of 60 off 40 deliveries, forging 40-plus partnerships with Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma and Rinku Singh.

Earlier in the match, Dube registered figures of 1/9 from two overs, taking the wicket of Afghan skipper Ibrahim Zadran. “It was really cold. I enjoyed playing on this ground. Playing after a long time and batting at number four, there was some pressure one me. I had one thing in my mind that I have to play my game,” Dube, adjudged Player of the Match, said.

“First 2-3 balls, I feel a bit of pressure, after that I just focus on the ball and I don’t think much on what’s going on. In T20s, I know what I bat, and I know I can hit big sixes, so I can generate runs any time. Bowling, today I got the opportunity and I executed what I needed,” added the all-rounder.