MS Dhoni’s advice was vivid in Rinku Singh’s mind after his match-winning partnership with Shivam Dube against Afghanistan on Thursday. When asked about his role in the middle-order in T20 formats, Rinku remembered the former Indian captain’s advice and said, ‘it always helps if you stay calm and focus on the present and don't show any reaction. He told me that I should allow the bowler to do his job and then react accordingly to the ball and not anything else.’
Rinku said finishing games has become a habit for him, adding that ‘staying calm helped him ‘chase a lot of runs in less balls.’
India's fringe players, led by Shivam Dube, made the opportunity count to set up a six-wicket win over Afghanistan in the first T20 of the three-match series. Jitesh Sharma (31 off 20) also gave a good account of himself before Rinku Singh (16 not out off 9) joined Dube in the middle and took the team home.
Rohit Sharma, who was sent back without scoring, was involved in an avoidable run-out with Shubman Gill on the non-striker’s end. Rohit Sharma’s fit of rage was seen on-field as he walked back to the pavilion.
Watch! Rohit Sharma loses his cool over Shubman Gill after horrible run out | IND vs AFG 1st T20
(With PTI inputs)