Axar Patel celebrating his wicket. (Courtesy: BCCI.TV)

All-rounders Shivam Dube and Axar Patel made important contributions for Team India as they clinched the second T20 by six wickets, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series against Afghanistan.

Dube removed Afghan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai early and notched up a whirlwind half-century while Patel bowled economically and scalped two wickets to reach a milestone of 200 wickets in international cricket. In preparation for the 2024 T20 World Cup, slated to get underway in June, the duo have made several preparations which will be crucial at the marquee tournament.

“I have been trying to bowl a bit slower, vary my lengths and now I have been to gauge these things better. Now I have the confidence to bowl at all times, even in the powerplay,” Patel said in the post-match interview.

“You need to be mentally prepared as a bowler in T20 cricket. Ready to concede a six because that same ball could get you a wicket on another day. Earlier, I used to vary my plans if a batter was hitting me, but now I stick to my plans and make the batters take the chance against me,” the spinner added.

“There are many things that I have worked on, apart from skill it is about how mentally you prepare for the T20 game. How to handle pressure, and deciding which bowlers to take on. It isn”t important to hit every ball. I have been working on my bowling as well, happy that it worked out in the first game but not as much today. But that is how T20 cricket is,” Dube said.

Team India are placed in Group A for the 2024 T20 World Cup, alongside, Canada, Ireland, Pakistan and hosts USA. The Men in Blue will begin their campaign against Ireland on June 5 and later take on arch-rivals Pakistan on 9th in New York.