11 Jan, 22:21 (IST)

India have a 1-0 lead in this three-match series courtesy of some fine bowling and a wonderful innings from Shivam Dube. This new look Indian team showed its mettle and deservedly find themselves ahead in this series on a chilly evening in Mohali. It was achieved not without a bit of drama though, with Rohit Sharma's miscommunication with Shubman Gill standing out as one of the most forgettable moments for the hosts. Afghanistan batters were restricted to a below-par total and India expectedly chased down the total with ease, despite losing wickets at regular intervals. The credit goes to Dube, who held the innings together with a fine performance as India beat Afghanistan in this contest. 

11 Jan, 22:09 (IST)

Shivam Dube has won it for India here! What a way to start off the series for the youngster, who struck his half-century and took the side over the line after they lost early wickets. It has been calm and mature innings and he has not hesitated to take on the bowling at times. India are 1-0 up in the series, with the bowlers having set up this victory on a chilly evening in Mohali. 

11 Jan, 22:03 (IST)

FIFTY! Shivam Dube is putting on a show here! Talk about staking a claim for a spot in this T20I side. He has been superb ever since coming out to the crease and has played some fascinating shots on both sides of the wicket en route to his 2nd T20I fifty. 

11 Jan, 21:51 (IST)

OUT! Jitesh Sharma has perished and it is Mujeeb Ur Rahman who has struck! The wicketkeeper-batter has holed out in the deep and the partnership, which looked threatening, has ended much to Afghanistan's relief. Out comes Rinku Singh and we are in for some finish!  Jitesh Sharma c Ibrahim Zadran b Mujeeb 31(20) 

11 Jan, 21:41 (IST)

Shivam Dube and Jitesh Sharma are holding the fort for India in this run chase and the innings is ticking along pretty well here. India would know that this partnership can seal the win here and would want these two to continue. 

11 Jan, 21:25 (IST)

OUT! Tilak Varma is the next man to fall and what a catch it is, from Gulbadin Naib. These conditions are not easy to judge and Naib ends up taking a fascinating catch. Tilak Varma c Gulbadin b Azmatullah 26(22) 

11 Jan, 21:15 (IST)

Shivam Dube and Tilak Varma are leading the fightback for India after the loss of two wickets. India need this partnership to carry on before the likes of Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma can come in and play some explosive shots. 

11 Jan, 21:03 (IST)

OUT! Shubman Gill has looked in very good form here but Mujeeb Ur Rahman has provided Afghanistan with a big big wicket here. The youngster was involved in a miscommunication with Rohit Sharma leading to the latter's run out but he has not let it affect his concentration. However, he missed the ball as he danced down the track and was stumped! India are two down now. Shubman Gill st Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 23(12) 

11 Jan, 20:50 (IST)

OUT! A wicket off the first ball and it is captain Rohit Sharma who is run out! The Indian captain is absolutely livid with Shubman Gill as he did not move from his crease while Rohit ran over to the other end as the ball was fielded. Rohit comfortably reached the other end while Gill was ball-watching while not responding.  Rohit Sharma run out (Ibrahim Zadran/Gurbaz) 0(2)

11 Jan, 20:36 (IST)

Arshdeep Singh concedes 15 runs off the final over as Afghanistan manage 158/5 in this 1st T20I against India. After both openers were back in the hut, it looked like this mark would not be reached by the visitors but Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai ensured that there was a momentum shift in the meantime. It is a good total, although Afghanistan would hope that they could some more. For India, it is a good bowling performance, albeit the dropped chances. 

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India and Afghanistan begin what is the first of a three-match T20I series, on January 11. The series is of paramount importance for the Men in Blue as it is their last international assignment in T20 cricket before the ICC T20 World Cup, which is to be played in June this year. Furthermore, this series will also see the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the Indian T20I setup, with both of them having not featured in a single match for the country in this format since the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. Rohit will lead the side in the absence of Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav, who have led the T20 side since then and are currently ruled out with injuries. Also, fans would be keen on seeing how well this new-look Indian team, packed with a lot of youngsters, fare. India vs Afghanistan, 1st T20I 2024 Free Live Streaming Online: How To Watch IND vs AFG Cricket Match Live Telecast on TV?

Afghanistan on the other hand, would want to keep up with their giant-killing act from the last time they were in India. At the ICC World Cup last year, the 'underdogs' beat three former world champions and their performances in T20I cricket show that they are not a side to be taken lightly at all. Rashid Khan, their regular T20I captain will miss out as he is not fully recovered and although his absence is and will be painful, the Ibrahim Zadran-led side has enough talent to put up a challenge in front of the Indians.

India would start this series as favourites but Afghanistan cannnot be taken lightly. The series is set to be an entertaining one and it remains to be seen if the world no 1 side prevails at the end of it all. Or will Afghanistan spring another surprise at the start of 2024?