India Crush Afghanistan in Delhi T20I
Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 82 powers India to a seven-wicket victory after Afghanistan are restricted to 156
- India chased down 157 in just 13.4 overs.
- Abhishek Sharma smashed 82 off 32 balls in a dominant display.
- Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy made successful returns from injury.
- Afghanistan were restricted to 156 despite Azmatullah Omarzai’s late 50-plus knock.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 14th Sept: India produced a dominant all-round performance to defeat Afghanistan by seven wickets in their first home T20I against the visitors in Delhi.
After Afghanistan posted 156, India raced to the target in just 13.4 overs, with Abhishek Sharma leading the chase with a blistering 82 off 32 balls. His aggressive innings included a series of sixes and ensured India faced little difficulty in pursuit of the target.
Jasprit Bumrah made an impressive return from injury and struck with only his second delivery, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Varun Chakravarthy also returned to action and quickly made an impact, removing Darwish Rasooli to leave Afghanistan struggling at 43 for five after seven overs.
Afghanistan initially showed some intent through Sediqullah Atal and captain Ibrahim Zadran. Atal struck Bumrah for a six and a four, but Zadran was run out at the end of the fourth over, triggering a collapse.
Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel added further wickets, while Axar completed four economical overs for 27 runs. Afghanistan struggled to rebuild after losing five wickets inside the powerplay.
Azmatullah Omarzai provided late resistance and reached a half-century. He took advantage of Shivam Dube’s final over, scoring 21 runs from it to help Afghanistan cross the 150-run mark.
India’s chase began with Sanju Samson falling after scoring 15. Abhishek then took control, striking boundaries and sixes across the ground. He reached 82 from only 32 deliveries before India completed the chase.
Ishan Kishan contributed 42 and shared a 121-run second-wicket partnership with Abhishek. Rashid Khan, despite remaining wicketless, briefly slowed India’s progress with two excellent boundary catches.
The emphatic victory underlined India’s batting depth and marked successful returns for Bumrah and Varun as the team continued its T20 campaign.
