India secured a commanding T20 series victory on Tuesday, defeating Afghanistan by seven wickets in the second match of their three-game series. This win, achieved at the same venue where India also triumphed by seven wickets on Sunday, gives the visitors an unassailable 2-0 lead with one match remaining.
Afghanistan, acting as the series host in a unique arrangement, struggled to build momentum after India won the toss and elected to field. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for his second consecutive duck by Arshdeep Singh. Although captain Ibrahim Zadran stabilized the innings with 37 off 33 deliveries, the side faltered during the middle overs, collapsing from 59-2 to 100-6. Nitish Reddy spearheaded the attack, finishing with impressive figures of 3-24 from his three overs.
A late resurgence came through Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, who shared a 48-run partnership off 28 balls to steer Afghanistan to a final total of 159-8. Khan contributed a brisk 28 off 16 balls, while Nabi added 20 off 14, providing the hosts with a modicum of respectability.
India’s response was explosive from the outset. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma dismantled the Afghan bowling attack, racing to 82-0 within the powerplay. Samson struck four sixes and seven fours during his 57-run burst off just 22 balls—his first half-century since his player-of-the-tournament performance in the T20 World Cup final. Sharma was equally aggressive, scoring 39 off 19 deliveries including four sixes, as the pair combined for 88 runs in only 38 balls.
Following the powerplay, Rashid Khan attempted to stem the tide, dismissing Sharma at deep midwicket and later claiming Samson’s wicket. Khan also removed skipper Shreyas Iyer, caught at slip, to briefly check India’s progress. Despite reaching their 100-run mark in just 7.1 overs—the joint second-quickest for India since 2024—the team faced a minor mid-innings test.
Ultimately, Ishan Kishan, who remained unbeaten on 38, and Tilak Varma, not out on 15, safely guided India to 163-3 in 14.5 overs. The clinical performance ensured that India comfortably sealed the series, maintaining their flawless record on the tour thus far. The report also notes that samson and Sharma set a hectic pace as India raced to 82-0 in the powerplay. The report also notes that but to no avail, afghanistan used spin in the powerplay as compared to the first game.
