2nd T20I: Sanju Samson Stars as India Cruise to Another Dominant Win in Delhi

India continued their dominant run against Afghanistan, sealing the three-match T20I series 2-0 with another comprehensive victory in Delhi on Tuesday.

After chasing down Afghanistan’s target in 13.4 overs in the series opener, India needed just 14.5 overs to overhaul 159 in the second game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

The result once again highlighted the gulf between the two sides. Despite a sizeable contingent of Afghan supporters among the 24,215 spectators, the designated hosts had little to celebrate as India’s batting line-up once again proved too powerful.

Afghanistan posted 159 on a batting-friendly surface, only three runs more than their total in the opening match. Their hopes of defending the score were further dented by the absence of enough runs at the top of the order. Even the brilliance of Rashid Khan, who claimed three wickets, could not prevent India from completing another comfortable chase.

SAMSON MAKES HIS CHANCE COUNT

Sanju Samson made sure he did not let another opportunity slip away. After missing out in the series opener, the wicketkeeper-batter produced a blistering 57 off just 22 deliveries, ending a five-innings wait for a T20I half-century.

Samson smashed seven boundaries and four sixes, combining calculated strokeplay with powerful hitting. After taking a little time to settle, he shifted gears and attacked the Afghanistan bowlers with a series of crisp drives and aggressive shots against spin.

The innings was particularly significant for Samson, who has struggled for consistency and has moved in and out of India’s T20I plans in recent months. With competition for places increasing, his timely half-century strengthened his case for a regular role.

Samson initially played second fiddle to Abhishek Sharma, who once again took the attack to Afghanistan’s bowlers. The left-hander struck four sixes during his 19-ball 39 and continued his outstanding form after smashing 82 from 32 balls in the first T20I.

Afghanistan attempted to counter Abhishek by opening with spin, but the tactic backfired. Mohammad Nabi conceded 22 runs from just 11 deliveries against the aggressive left-hander.

Samson and Abhishek then put together 82 runs during the powerplay, effectively taking the contest away from Afghanistan. The visitors desperately needed wickets and Rashid Khan provided them by dismissing both batters in his first over before also removing captain Shreyas Iyer.

However, the damage had already been done. Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma calmly finished the chase, adding an unbeaten 88-run stand from 38 balls to take India past the target in just 14.5 overs.

NITISH DELIVERS WITH THE BALL

Earlier, Nitish Kumar Reddy bounced back in style after an expensive outing in the series opener. The young all-rounder returned career-best figures of 3 for 24 from three overs as India’s bowlers kept Afghanistan under pressure throughout their innings.

With Hardik Pandya unavailable, India have been looking at Nitish as a potential fast-bowling all-rounder. After conceding 30 runs in two overs on Sunday, he responded with a disciplined performance on Tuesday.

Nitish struck in the ninth over, removing Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran after the opener had helped his side recover from the early dismissal of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who was trapped for a duck by Arshdeep Singh.

Ibrahim and Sediqullah Atal had added 51 for the second wicket, but the partnership ended when Ibrahim failed to clear the deep mid-wicket boundary.

Nitish struck again in his following over, dismissing Gulbadin Naib with extra bounce. Naib top-edged the delivery, with Samson completing a good catch.

The all-rounder then returned to bowl the final over and produced the biggest moment of his spell. Rashid Khan was looking for late runs, but Nitish followed him with a back-of-the-hand slower delivery after the batter made room. Rashid picked out the mid-wicket fielder, bringing his innings to an end.

Nitish conceded a six from the final ball but restricted Afghanistan to 159.

Arshdeep Singh claimed two wickets, while Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravi Bishnoi also struck. Axar removed the dangerous Azmatullah Omarzai, while Bumrah continued his encouraging return by dismissing Mohammad Nabi after beginning the innings with a maiden over.

Afghanistan’s top order again failed to deliver. They slipped to 96 for 5, with none of their first five batters reaching 30.

Darwish Rasooli’s 26, Rashid’s 28 and Nabi’s 20 helped Afghanistan reach a more respectable total, but 159 was never likely to trouble India’s batting depth.

INDIA SEAL SERIES WITH ANOTHER ROUT

Samson and Abhishek ensured the chase was never in doubt, racing to 82 in the powerplay before Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma completed the job with ease.

India have now won the series with one match remaining. The final T20I will be played on Thursday, giving the Indian team management an opportunity to assess some of the players on the bench ahead of the Asian Games.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, will need a significant improvement in all three departments if they are to avoid a clean sweep and finally register their first T20I victory over India.