In the absence of Virat Kohli and a challenging start that saw Rohit Sharma run out early, India showcased resilience as Shivam Dube's explosive 60* off 40 balls guided them to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the first T20I at Mohali. Chasing a target of 159, Dube's stellar performance, supported by Jitesh Sharma's 31 off 20 balls, secured India's 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Despite early setbacks with Sharma and Shubman Gill's dismissals, Dube and Tilak Varma's 44-run partnership steadied the innings. Dube's aggressive approach, featuring five fours and two sixes, propelled India to victory with 15 balls to spare. Jitesh Sharma's valuable contribution and Rinku Singh's unbeaten 16 further bolstered the team's batting display.

Afghanistan, known for their spin prowess, struggled to defend the total. In the absence of star spinner Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman stood out with figures of 2 wickets for 21 runs in his four overs. Afghanistan's innings featured Azmatullah Omarzai's 29 and Mohammad Nabi's 42, contributing to a total of 158.

India's decision to bowl first paid off as Axar Patel's two-wicket haul and Dube's crucial breakthroughs limited Afghanistan's progress. With this win, India sets the tone for the series, with the second T20I scheduled in Indore on Sunday. Rohit Sharma expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, highlighting positive aspects, especially in the bowling department, and hinted at experimenting with strategies in the upcoming matches.