India secured a commanding seven-wicket win against Afghanistan in the opening T20I of the series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Abhishek Sharma was the star of the chase, delivering a blistering 82 off 32 deliveries, an innings decorated with seven boundaries and seven maximums. His performance, which included reaching the milestone of 6,000 T20 runs in 3,420 balls, helped India dismantle the target in just 13.4 overs.
The visitors initially faced a harrowing collapse after being put in to bat, finding themselves at 43 for 5 before the midway point. Jasprit Bumrah struck early by removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz, while Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel exploited the conditions to dismantle the middle order. Afghanistan’s recovery was fueled by a determined Azmatullah Omarzai, who anchored the innings with an unbeaten 64 from 44 balls. Supported by Mohammad Nabi’s 33 off 27, Omarzai helped elevate the score to 156 for 8 by the end of their 20 overs, despite consistent pressure from the Indian bowlers, led by Arshdeep’s 3 for 19.
India’s pursuit began with an aggressive intent despite losing Sanju Samson, who was dismissed by Omarzai early in the third over. Abhishek and Ishan Kishan immediately shifted the momentum, forging a 121-run partnership that effectively neutralized the Afghan attack. The duo attacked Fazalhaq Farooqi in the fifth over for 26 runs, and their relentless scoring against Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad ensured India reached 130 for 1 at the 10-over mark. Although Mohammad Nabi eventually removed both set openers, Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma were left with little to do to complete the victory.
Afghanistan’s late-innings surge, which saw them collect 21 runs in the final over off Shivam Dube with contributions from Mujeeb ur Rahman, proved insufficient against India’s clinical batting display. While the total of 156 represented a valiant rearguard effort from the Afghan side, it was ultimately surpassed with relative ease. The comprehensive nature of the chase highlights the current form of India’s top-order, providing them with a 1-0 lead in the bilateral series.
Final Score Summary: Afghanistan 156/8 in 20 overs (Azmatullah Omarzai 64* off 44, Mohammad Nabi 33 off 27; Arshdeep Singh 3-19) lost to India 157/3 in 13.4 overs (Abhishek Sharma 82 off 32, Ishan Kishan 42 off 33; Mohammad Nabi 2-28) by 7 wickets. The report also notes that with India getting over the line in the 14th over, but the total proved insufficient as Abhishek and Ishan Kishan added 121 in quick time. The report also notes that abhishek, meanwhile, dealt in regular sixes and fours as he became the second fastest to 6000 T20 runs (in 3420 balls). The report also notes that bowled by Mohammad Nabi, as India ended the Powerplay at 82 for 1, three more boundaries came in the sixth over. The report also notes that and Rashid Khan was also not able to slow the opener down as he conceded two fours and a six in his first two overs, a 22-ball fifty for Abhishek followed. The report also notes that and Abhishek continued to tee away as he struck two sixes in an over off Noor Ahmad to power India to 130 for 1 at the halfway stage, a century partnership was raised soon afterwards.
