Nitish Kumar Reddy delivered an impressive all-round bowling display before Sanju Samson produced a rapid half-century as India defeated Afghanistan by seven wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.
Nitish returned figures of three for 24 from three overs as India restricted Afghanistan to 159 for eight. The hosts then made light work of the chase, reaching the target in just 14.5 overs.
The performance was particularly significant for the 23-year-old Nitish, who has been backed by India as a seam-bowling all-rounder and recently returned from a quadriceps injury. Having conceded 30 runs in two overs in the series opener on Sunday, he responded strongly in the second match.
Jasprit Bumrah gave India the perfect start with a maiden opening over before Arshdeep Singh struck in the next. Rahmanullah Gurbaz attempted to force the pace with a pull but miscued it to Ravi Bishnoi at mid-on.
Afghanistan recovered through Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal, who added 51 runs for the second wicket. Nitish ended the partnership when the Afghanistan captain attempted a heave across the line and was caught at deep midwicket.
Bishnoi, brought into the side for the injured Varun Chakaravarthy, then removed Sediqullah, who found Tilak Varma at long-off. Nitish struck again when Gulbadin Naib skied a delivery to Samson.
Azmatullah Omarzai and Darwish Rasooli briefly fought back with a quick 29-run partnership. Omarzai was also handed a lifeline when Bishnoi dropped a chance off Axar Patel while he was on five.
However, both batters fell in quick succession, leaving Afghanistan struggling at 100 for six after 14.1 overs.
Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan then showed their ability with the bat, adding 48 runs for the seventh wicket and helping Afghanistan reach a more competitive 159 for eight.
The total proved insufficient against India’s batting lineup.
Samson led the response with an aggressive 57 from only 22 deliveries. With 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi waiting in the wings, the 31-year-old opener produced an important innings to strengthen his case at the top of the order.
India eventually completed the chase with more than five overs remaining, sealing the series with one match still to play.
