India Afghanistan T20 series belonged to the hosts after Sanju Samson’s explosive 57 powered India to a seven-wicket victory in Delhi.
NEW DELHI: Sanju Samson smashed a blistering 57 from just 22 balls as India raced past Afghanistan by seven wickets in the second T20 International, sealing the three-match series with one game still to play.
India chased down Afghanistan’s 160-run target in only 14.5 overs at Arun Jaitley Stadium on September 15, finishing on 163/3 and taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the India Afghanistan T20 series.
Samson turns up the power in Delhi
Samson produced the defining innings of the match, reaching his half-century in only 20 deliveries before eventually departing for 57.
His innings featured seven fours and four sixes.
Opening partner Abhishek Sharma added 39 from 19 balls as the pair tore into Afghanistan’s attack with an 88-run opening partnership from only 38 deliveries.
India raced to 82 without loss during the six-over powerplay, leaving Afghanistan with little room to recover despite Rashid Khan eventually removing both openers.
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India finish the chase with 31 balls remaining
Rashid also dismissed Indian captain Shreyas Iyer for 11, but the breakthroughs came too late to change the direction of the match.
Ishan Kishan remained unbeaten on 38 from 23 deliveries, while Tilak Varma made an unbeaten 15. Their 40-run partnership completed the chase with 31 balls remaining.
Rashid finished with Afghanistan’s three wickets, returning figures of 3/36.
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Afghanistan restricted to 159
Earlier, India elected to bowl and restricted Afghanistan to 159/8 from their 20 overs.
Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran top-scored with 37, while Rashid provided late momentum with 28 from 16 deliveries.
Nitish Kumar Reddy was India’s standout bowler, taking 3/24 from three overs, while Arshdeep Singh finished with 2/35. Reddy was named Player of the Match.
India take unbeatable 2-0 series lead
The result followed India’s seven-wicket victory in the opening T20I at the same venue, when Abhishek struck 82 from 32 deliveries.
Two consecutive victories mean India have now secured the India Afghanistan T20 series before the final match.
The teams return to Arun Jaitley Stadium for the third and final T20I on September 17, when India will have the opportunity to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
Impact to expect
The victory gives India another opportunity to test combinations in the final match, while Samson’s rapid half-century strengthens the competition for places at the top of the batting order.
