India Beat Afghanistan in emphatic fashion in the opening match of the three-game T20 series at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday. Led by a breathtaking innings from Abhishek Sharma, India chased down Afghanistan’s target of 157 with ease, reaching 160 for 3 in just 13.4 overs.
Abhishek produced one of the most destructive batting displays of the match, smashing 82 runs from only 32 deliveries. His extraordinary hitting included seven fours and seven towering sixes, as India quickly took control of the contest and eventually completed a convincing seven-wicket victory.
The result gives India a 1-0 advantage in the three-match series, with the second T20I scheduled to be played at the same venue on Tuesday, September 15.
India’s Power-Hitting Takes Centre Stage in Delhi
India, captained by Shreyas Iyer, won the toss and elected to bowl first. The decision immediately paid dividends as the Indian bowling attack put Afghanistan under pressure during the early stages of the innings.
Chasing 157, India did not get off to the quickest start. Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson departed after scoring 10 runs, giving Afghanistan an early opening. However, that moment proved to be short-lived.
Abhishek Sharma walked in and completely changed the momentum of the chase. He attacked both Afghanistan’s pace bowlers and spinners without hesitation, finding the boundary regularly and putting the opposition under enormous pressure.
The left-handed opener reached his half-century in only 22 balls before continuing his assault. By the time his innings ended, he had accumulated 82 from 32 balls at a strike rate above 250.
His seven fours and seven sixes made the innings particularly spectacular and ensured that Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled to find any way back into the contest.
Ishan Kishan Provides Valuable Support
At the other end, Ishan Kishan played an important supporting role. Kishan scored 42 from 33 balls, hitting five fours and one six.
The partnership between Abhishek and Kishan effectively took the game away from Afghanistan. Their aggressive approach meant that India required very little time to erase the deficit and move firmly towards victory.
Although Abhishek eventually departed, the damage had already been done. India were comfortably placed and completed the chase with plenty of deliveries remaining.
Afghanistan Fight Back Through Omarzai and Nabi
Afghanistan’s innings had begun on a difficult note. Indian fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh struck with disciplined and attacking spells, reducing Afghanistan to 43 runs for five wickets.
With the top order struggling, Afghanistan needed a substantial partnership to post a competitive total. Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi stepped up at a crucial moment.
The pair added 83 runs for the sixth wicket, rescuing Afghanistan from a precarious position. Nabi contributed 33 runs, while Omarzai remained unbeaten on an impressive 64 from 44 balls.
Afghanistan then managed to add further runs during the final stages of the innings. In the last over bowled by Shivam Dube, the visitors scored 21 runs, helping them finish on 156 for 8 after 20 overs.
Arshdeep Singh Leads India’s Bowling Attack
Arshdeep Singh was India’s most successful bowler, finishing with three wickets. Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy claimed one wicket each.
India’s early bowling effort was particularly important because it prevented Afghanistan’s top order from building a strong foundation. Despite the late recovery led by Omarzai and Nabi, the final total of 156 was not enough to seriously challenge India’s powerful batting line-up.
India Take 1-0 Lead in Three-Match Series
With this seven-wicket win, India have moved 1-0 ahead in the three-match T20 series against Afghanistan.
The second match will be played on Tuesday, September 15, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Afghanistan will need a much stronger performance with the ball if they are to level the series, while India will enter the next game full of confidence after a dominant opening victory.
Also read: Team India Security Lapse: Security Concerns Surface Ahead of Afghanistan T20 Series
India Playing XI
Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy.
Afghanistan Playing XI
Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
India’s commanding chase, led by Abhishek Sharma’s sensational 82, has given them the perfect start to the series. Afghanistan now face a must-improve situation in the second T20I if they are to keep their hopes of winning the series alive.
Delhi: India beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in the first T20I, with Abhishek Sharma scoring 82 and Ishan Kishan contributing 42 runs.
— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2026
(Pics: ANI Picture Service) pic.twitter.com/5f0ZcTOI7q
