Abhishek Sharma Stars as India Beat Afghanistan in Delhi T20I Opener, Take 1-0 Lead

India began their landmark T20I series against Afghanistan in emphatic fashion, brushing aside.

The visitors by seven wickets in the series opener in Delhi. Despite Afghanistan being designated the home side, India produced a commanding all-round display, chasing down 157 in just 13.4 overs.

Abhishek Sharma provided the fireworks with a breathtaking 82 off 32 balls, while India’s bowlers laid the foundation by restricting Afghanistan to 156. The result gave Shreyas Iyer’s side a 1-0 lead and underlined their strength in familiar Delhi conditions.

ABHISHEK SHARMA SILENCES THE DOUBTERS

Much of the build-up revolved around India’s selection dilemma, with Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi competing for two spots. India eventually left the 15-year-old on the bench and went with the experienced Samson-Abhishek combination.

For Abhishek, the opportunity carried added significance. The left-hander had gone nine innings without a fifty, including four single-digit scores, putting his place under increasing scrutiny.

He responded in spectacular fashion.

Abhishek tore into the Afghanistan attack from the opening over, smashing Fazalhaq Farooqi into the stands before continuing his assault against both pace and spin. He reached his half-century from only 22 balls and eventually finished with 82 from 32 deliveries, including seven sixes and seven fours.

His aggression left Afghanistan’s bowlers with few answers. Even their formidable spin attack, led by Rashid Khan, struggled to contain him.

Against Afghanistan’s four spinners, Abhishek scored 46 runs from just 20 balls, repeatedly finding the boundary and refusing to allow them any opportunity to settle.

SAMSON FAILS TO CAPITALISE ON RETURN

Sanju Samson had a chance to make a statement after missing India’s previous assignment in Zimbabwe. However, his comeback lasted only 10 runs.

Samson showed glimpses of his attacking ability before attempting another early flick over the leg side. He found the deep mid-wicket fielder during the powerplay, once again highlighting the risk associated with his aggressive approach at the start of an innings.

Abhishek, meanwhile, ensured Samson’s early dismissal barely mattered.

He combined with Ishan Kishan to add 121 runs from just 53 balls for the second wicket. Kishan played the supporting role but still scored at a strike rate above 150, eventually making 42 from 33 balls.

When Mohammad Nabi finally dismissed Abhishek with a full toss in the 11th over, India were already within touching distance of victory.

Tilak Varma and Shreyas Iyer completed the chase without further trouble.

India raced to 82 for one during the powerplay, exactly twice Afghanistan’s score at the same stage despite losing three fewer wickets. The mismatch during the opening six overs effectively decided the contest.

BUMRAH MAKES IMPACTFUL RETURN

India’s dominant chase was set up by an impressive bowling performance that restricted Afghanistan to 156.

Jasprit Bumrah marked his return from an injury layoff in trademark fashion, taking just two legal deliveries to strike. He dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz with extra bounce and a disciplined line, immediately putting Afghanistan under pressure.

The top order then collapsed rapidly.

Ibrahim Zadran was run out following sharp work from Ishan Kishan, while Sediqullah Atal and Gulbadin Naib also departed cheaply. Varun Chakravarthy added to Afghanistan’s problems by bowling Darwish Rasooli, leaving the visitors at 43 for five.

India’s fielding was also considerably sharper, with two run-outs adding to Afghanistan’s mounting pressure.

There were, however, some concerns for India. Their pace-bowling all-rounders, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shivam Dube, conceded 51 runs in three overs. Dube’s final over alone cost 21 runs as Afghanistan managed to push their total beyond 150.

OMARZAI PROVIDES LATE RESISTANCE

Afghanistan’s recovery was led by Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai, who added 83 runs in 9.2 overs for the sixth wicket.

Nabi played the supporting role while Omarzai took the attack to the Indian bowlers, remaining unbeaten on 64 from 44 balls.

Arshdeep Singh eventually broke the partnership in the 17th over and finished as India’s leading bowler with impressive figures of 3/19 from four overs.

Bumrah was equally effective at the death, conceding only three runs and keeping Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan under immense pressure. Rashid managed just one run from 10 deliveries before Arshdeep dismissed him in the following over.

Omarzai then attacked Dube in the final over to take Afghanistan beyond 150, but the total was never likely to challenge India.

Afghanistan have still never defeated India in a T20I. They will have another opportunity on Tuesday, but if they are to level the series, Ibrahim Zadran’s side will need a vastly improved performance with both bat and ball.