Long live Dube!

Flamboyant Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dube couldn't have timed his run any better!

Not only did his magnificent 40-ball 60 hand India a thrilling win over Afghanistan in Mohali on Thursday night, but he also returned figures of 1-9 from his two overs of medium-pace bowling. Perhaps, what made his knock even more special was the manner in which the 30-year-old defied insanely cold temperatures that plummeted to just nine degrees (48 Fahrenheit) in the northern Indian city.

On the eve of the first T20I against Afghanistan, returning captain Rohit Sharma revealed that the team management is looking to deliberately expose players to challenging situations ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in June. Fast forward 24 hours, and it is hard to think how Dube could possibly have done more to live up to his captain's mantra.

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"We want to keep trying different things - try and bowl our bowlers in different situations of the game…We want to challenge ourselves in the areas we are slightly uncomfortable with and the bowlers are not used to that. We want to try and do that. Keeping all of those things in mind, we'll try and do whatever is possible but not at the cost of the game. We want to make sure that we come out on top and play the game well. All in all, today was a good day for us," said Sharma.

From the very first ball he played, Dube was bit by bit shaping up as the dangerous player the Afghans needed to factor into their game plans, as India chased down their victory target of 159 with 15 balls and six wickets to spare. However, with the combined factors of Afghanistan's recent domination of limited over formats, not many could have predicted the vigour with which Dube, who is not a regular in the squad, would challenge the visitors.

As the battle commenced, India's formidable bowling unit took center stage, showcasing a symphony of precision and power. Spearheaded by none other than Axar Patel, India restricted Afghanistan to 158-5 despite an attacking 42 by Mohammad Nabi. As Sharma insisted, Afghanistan's pursuit was met with staunch resistance from India's adept bowling unit. "There were a lot of positives, especially with the ball. Wasn't the easiest of conditions but our spinners bowled particularly well," he told reporters after the match.

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Precision, variation, and strategic field placements orchestrated a formidable attack by the hosts. Each wicket claimed thus became a testament to the bowlers' mastery, stifling Afghanistan's progress and turning the tide in India's favour.

But the damage was far from done. After Sharma's dismissal ratcheted up anxiety in the Indian dugout, Dube took matters in his own hands, forging key partnerships including a 45-run stand with Jitesh Sharma, who made 31, and an unbeaten 42 with Rinku Singh, 16 not out.

Dube orchestrated an array of exquisite strokes, gracefully manoeuvring through the field and accumulating runs with a calculated finesse. The contest reached its zenith in the final overs, with the pendulum swinging between both teams. However, Dube's resilience and strategic acumen ultimately prevailed, giving India a lead in the three-match T20I series 1-0. The jubilant celebrations underscored the significance of this hard-fought triumph, affirming Men in Blue's prowess in the shortest format.