Abhishek Sharma produced an explosive 82 off just 32 balls as India cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the opening T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday.
Although Afghanistan have been given host status for the three-match series, the atmosphere belonged firmly to India, with most of the 25,165 spectators celebrating as the home favourites chased down 157 in only 13.4 overs.
Abhishek led the charge with seven fours and seven sixes, displaying an array of attacking strokes. He received valuable support from Ishan Kishan, who struck 42 from 33 deliveries as the two left-handers added 121 runs for the second wicket.
India had lost Sanju Samson early after his return to the playing XI in place of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Samson made 10 before mistiming a pull from Azmatullah Omarzai, with Darwish Rasooli completing the catch at deep square-leg. His dismissal did little to disrupt India’s chase as Abhishek and Ishan quickly took control.
Earlier, India’s bowlers had put Afghanistan under immediate pressure. Arshdeep Singh finished with three wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy picked up one each.
Bumrah, returning from an injury layoff, made an early impact after India elected to bowl. His opening delivery was a wide down the leg side that went to the boundary, but he responded by dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz with his second legitimate ball. The Afghanistan opener was cramped by a back-of-a-length delivery and guided it to Abhishek at slip.
Afghanistan’s innings quickly fell apart as it slipped to 43 for five after seven overs. Captain Ibrahim Zadran was run out following confusion with Sediqullah Atal while attempting a second run, with Ishan producing an accurate throw for Axar to complete the dismissal.
Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi then prevented a complete collapse by putting together an 83-run partnership. Omarzai remained unbeaten on 64 and produced one of the innings’ standout shots with a cover drive for four off Bumrah.
Nabi also provided resistance, including a powerful strike over long-on off Arshdeep. Their recovery helped Afghanistan reach a defendable total, but it ultimately proved insufficient as India’s aggressive batting ensured a comfortable victory in the series opener.
