Abhishek Sharma Powers India to Opening Win
India secured a dominant seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the first T20I of the 2026 series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. After opting to bowl first, the Indian side restricted Afghanistan to 156/8 before Abhishek Sharma produced a masterclass in aggressive batting to chase down the target with ease.
The chase began with a slight stutter when Sanju Samson fell early, leaving India at 18/1 after just 2.1 overs. However, any nerves in the home crowd were quickly extinguished by Abhishek Sharma. He took control of the innings immediately, dismantling the Afghanistan bowling attack with a breathtaking 82 off just 32 balls. Supported by Ishan Kishan, Sharma ensured the required run rate never became an issue, guiding India to a comfortable finish at 157/3.
Arshdeep Singh Sets the Tone with the Ball
Earlier in the evening, India’s decision to bowl first proved to be a tactical masterstroke. Arshdeep Singh spearheaded the bowling effort, consistently hitting his marks to stifle the Afghanistan lineup. His figures of 3/19 from his four overs were the highlight of the first innings, effectively preventing the visitors from building the momentum needed to post a more challenging total.
Azmatullah Omarzai provided the backbone for the Afghanistan innings, fighting hard to score 64 off 44 balls. He found a reliable partner in Mohammad Nabi, who contributed 33 off 27 balls to help steady the ship. Despite their efforts to build a competitive score, the constant pressure applied by the Indian bowlers—led by Arshdeep—ensured that Afghanistan remained restricted to 156/8 at the end of their 20 overs. The victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, setting the stage for an intriguing remainder of the tour.
