fajar-ramadhan
India delivered another commanding performance on Tuesday to secure an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match Twenty20 International series against Afghanistan. A breathtaking batting display led by dynamic opener Sanju Samson ensured the visitors chased down their target with seven wickets in hand and more than five overs to spare.
The comprehensive triumph mirrored the outcome of Sunday's series opener at the same venue, where India also cruised to a seven-wicket win. With the latest result, the touring side has wrapped up the bilateral rubber with a fixture still left to play, reinforcing their dominance throughout the ongoing assignment.
Sanju Samson was the undisputed protagonist of the run chase, producing a whirlwind knock of 57 runs from just 22 deliveries. The aggressive wicketkeeper-batter exhibited remarkable precision and power, marking his first half-century since his player-of-the-tournament performance in this year's T20 World Cup final.
Samson found an ideal accomplice in fellow opening partner Abhishek Sharma, who provided ruthless aggression from the opposite end. Sharma blasted 39 runs from a mere 19 deliveries, matching Samson’s intent by clearing the boundary ropes four times during his brief yet impactful stay at the crease.
Together, the opening pair subjected Afghanistan’s bowling unit to a relentless onslaught, accumulating an astounding 88 runs in just 38 balls. Their destructive partnership effectively dismantled the opposition's defensive plans before the conclusion of the initial field restrictions.
In an effort to stem the flow of boundaries, Afghanistan altered their tactical approach from the first match by introducing spin inside the opening powerplay. However, the maneuver failed to deter the Indian openers, who propelled their side to a blistering 82 without loss within the first six overs.
Afghanistan’s talismanic leg-spinner Rashid Khan was held back until immediately after the powerplay, and his introduction finally yielded a much-needed breakthrough in the seventh over. Khan struck to remove Sharma, who was caught in the deep at midwicket after setting a commanding platform for the chase.
Unfazed by the loss of his partner, Samson continued his aggressive assault, reaching his seventh career T20 half-century from just 20 deliveries with seven boundaries and four towering sixes. Nevertheless, Khan managed to strike again in the very same over, having Samson caught at long-off to briefly stall the scoring rampage.
Despite the quick double strike, India’s explosive start ensured they reached the 100-run milestone in a blistering 7.1 overs. The rapid acceleration represented India's joint second-fastest team century in the shortest format of international cricket since 2024.
Khan continued to battle valiantly for the bowling side and captured his third wicket of the evening when he had Indian captain Shreyas Iyer caught neatly at slip. However, the breakthroughs came far too late to significantly derail India’s overwhelming momentum in the chase.
Middle-order batter Ishan Kishan stepped up to ensure there were no further hiccups, composing a confident, unbeaten 38 runs. He was ably accompanied by Tilak Varma, who finished on 15 not out, as the pair efficiently guided India to 163-3 in just 14.5 overs to seal the match and the series.
Earlier in the day, India had won the coin toss and opted to bowl first, placing Afghanistan in a familiar position of having to set a competitive total. Operating as the designated host nation in a unique logistical arrangement, Afghanistan once again struggled to produce an imposing total against a disciplined Indian bowling attack.
The Afghan innings stumbled immediately at the top of the order as dangerous opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a second consecutive duck, falling to left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh. The early setback forced the batting side onto the back foot almost instantly.
Afghan captain Ibrahim Zadran attempted to consolidate the innings, scoring a measured 37 from 33 deliveries to navigate the powerplay and prevent another catastrophic top-order collapse. Despite his efforts to provide stability, Afghanistan’s middle order faltered badly as the innings progressed.
The batting side suffered a severe mid-innings collapse, slumping from a relatively stable 59-2 to a precarious 100-6 under relentless pressure from the Indian attack. All-rounder Nitish Reddy proved to be the primary wrecker during this middle phase, claiming 3-24 across his three overs to dismantle Afghanistan's core.
A late-innings resurgence led by Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan helped the hosts salvage some pride and respectability. The experienced duo combined for a spirited 48-run partnership off only 28 balls, with Khan contributing 28 from 16 deliveries and Nabi adding 20 from 14 balls to push Afghanistan's final tally to 159-8 in 20 overs.
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