IND vs AFG: Perfect Hardik Pandya Replacement! Twitter Reacts As Shivam Dube's Heroics Help India Beat Afghanistan 

Rohit Sharma led India made a winning start to the IND vs AFG T20I series and defeated Afghanistan by six wickets. Shivam Dube led India’s charge in Mohali and was unbeaten on 60 runs off 40 balls. Dube hit 5 fours and 2 sixes in the whole innings and was one of the shining aspects for India in the first T20I match against Afghanistan.

India had lost two quick wickets as Rohit Sharma fell for a duck due to an unlucky runout. Shubman Gill, on the other hand, was in an attacking mode from the start and hit 23 runs from 12 balls, which consisted of 5 fours. He struck the ball at a strike rate of 191.67. While Gill was looking good, he gave away his wicket while stepping out to Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

From here, Shivam Dube took charge and at first he added 44 runs from 29 balls with Tilak Varma whereas he put up 31-ball 45 run stand with Jitesh Sharma. Varma at one end hit 26 runs from 22 balls, and Sharma got out for 31 runs from 20 balls.

However, despite wickets falling on end, Shivam Dube kept his calm and added 42* runs from 22 balls with Rinku Singh for the fifth wicket.

Batting first, the Afghani team were given a decent start by the openers as the duo added 50 runs for the first wicket. Rahmanullah Gurbaz at one end scored a 28-ball 23, skipper Ibrahim Zadran was dismissed for 25 runs from 22.

Azmatullah Omarzai took charge of the Afghani team along with Mohammad Nabi and added 68 runs for the fifth wicket. Omarzai was dismissed by Mukesh Kumar for 23 runs, whereas Nabi scored 42 runs from 27 balls which included 2 fours and 3 sixes.

Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat gave a much-needed finish to the team and scored 19 and 9 runs respectively. Axar Patel was the most successful Indian bowler and picked up 2 wickets for 23 runs in 4 overs. Mukesh Kumar also picked up 2 wickets by giving away 33 runs in 4 overs.

Netizens hail Shivam Dube over India’s 6-wicket win

The netizens came up with plenty of reactions on India’s 6-wicket win over Afghanistan and also hailed Shivam Dube for his match-winning performance.

Bowlers did well to restrict Afg to a below par score and then Dube and Jitesh partnership ensured no hiccups during the chase. Well played Team India 👏🏽 #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/vtvRM8eTBn

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 11, 2024

That's how you come back in international cricket. Shivam Dube grabbed the opportunity he got with both hands, a wicket and 60 runs. If Hardik Pandya doesn't get fit, he might replace him in the WC. Maybe.

— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) January 11, 2024

Shivam Dubey 🥳

Perfect replacement for Hardik Pandya

— Pankaj (@Pankaj41627) January 11, 2024

Shivam Dube walking into Indias main T20 XI will be like: pic.twitter.com/heYMhhGIKr

— ?????? Das (@SergioCSKK) January 11, 2024

Excited about Shivam Dube’s batting success, yet equally impressed by his two impactful overs. If he can sustain his bowling prowess, he could be a valuable asset, providing the much-needed balance in white-ball cricket. Well done Team India! #INDvsAFG

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 11, 2024

Shivam Dube, The Star. ??

– Dube won the Player of the match in his return match for India. pic.twitter.com/0IVsaGXxbC

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 11, 2024

India defeated Afghanistan by 6 wickets.

Shivam Dube is the hero with 1/9 and 60* (40) – a comeback to remember for Dube…!!! ?? pic.twitter.com/PBW0I0xdzL

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 11, 2024

Captain Rohit Sharma appreciating Shivam Dube for his amazing innings. pic.twitter.com/gplEbhZODC

— Vishal. (@SPORTYVISHAL) January 11, 2024

Shivam Dube for T20 WC who says no? pic.twitter.com/hnZtkUV4Hc

— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) January 11, 2024

Shivam Dube the New all rounder of India ??#INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/tA6oaP95pz

— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) January 11, 2024

A match to remember for Shivam Dube. Great all round game by Dube ji ??. pic.twitter.com/ZjSYfWVuNA

— Vishal. (@SPORTYVISHAL) January 11, 2024

Shivam Dube can bat
Shivam Dubey can Bowl

Rohit Sharma just bought an alternative of chapri Hardik Pandya

Who needs that injury prone when we already have someone like Shivam?#IndvAfg pic.twitter.com/zKBSCGJimG

— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) January 11, 2024

Team India without Virat performance ? ?
.
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Ps: Veena Ji Acha Mxaak Kar Leti Ho#INDvsAFG #RohitSharma? https://t.co/wfbrcILz0z pic.twitter.com/YJlb5E044T

— ???????? ?? (@roHitman__45) January 11, 2024

New allrounder for team india and injured pandya you go #INDvsAFG #RohitSharma? Shubman Gill
Shivam Dube pic.twitter.com/OkKYpJ4oVp

— Aaliya Zaidi (@AaliyaZaidi5) January 11, 2024

Shivam Dube star of the match.
Received Player of the match.#INDvsAFG #ShivamDube #RohitSharma? pic.twitter.com/cMmVJBng2w

— DilSeSeven (@dileep___07) January 11, 2024

After Shivam Dube’s majestic performance, India went 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series.