India stamped their authority on the opening match of this T20I series with a thoroughly convincing seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in Delhi on Sunday 13th September. Shreyas Iyer's side bowled and batted with impressive efficiency, wrapping up the chase with more than six overs remaining and sending an early warning signal to any side watching on. For those who had India as series favourites beforehand, this result will only shorten their outright odds further.
Afghanistan Struggle to Build Momentum with the Bat
After India won the toss and elected to field, Afghanistan's innings was a story of promise without delivery. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for a duck in the very first over, caught by Abhishek Sharma off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah, and the hosts were 5-1 before most of the crowd had settled. Ibrahim Zadran steadied things somewhat with 11 runs before being run out by Ishan Kishan, and Sediq Atal contributed 13 before departing to Arshdeep Singh. By the sixth over, Afghanistan had slipped to 43-5, with Gulbadin Naib (2) and Darwish Rasooli (2) offering little resistance.
The only real highlight for the home side came from Azmatullah Omarzai, whose unbeaten 64 off 44 balls provided some much-needed backbone to the middle and lower order. Mohammad Nabi contributed a useful 33 from 27 before being bowled by Arshdeep, but Afghanistan ultimately fell well short of a competitive total, posting 156-8 from their 20 overs. Extras proved costly too — ten wides and two no-balls among 21 total extras — handing India unnecessary freebies.
India's Bowlers Share the Spoils
From an Indian bowling perspective, it was a controlled and disciplined effort across the board. Arshdeep Singh led the wicket-taking with three dismissals, finishing with figures of 4-0-19-3. Bumrah was characteristically economical — 4 overs, 26 runs, and one wicket — while Varun Chakaravarthy was miserly with a superb 4-0-16-1. Axar Patel also chipped in with a wicket. As a bowling unit, India looked cohesive and difficult to score against, with Chakaravarthy's economy rate of just 4.00 particularly eye-catching.
Abhishek Sharma and Kishan Blow Afghanistan Away
India's reply was simply outstanding. Abhishek Sharma blazed 82 from 32 balls — a stunning strike rate of 256.25 — and alongside Ishan Kishan, who made 42 from 33, the pair constructed a second-wicket stand of 121 that effectively ended the contest well before the halfway mark. Afghanistan's spinners Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi were taken apart, and even Fazalhaq Farooqi conceded 38 runs from just two overs. Sanju Samson fell early for 10, but with Abhishek and Kishan in that kind of form, it barely registered. Shreyas Iyer finished unbeaten on 8 alongside Tilak Varma (3 not out) as India crossed the line at 157-3 in 13.4 overs.
A Dominant Opening Statement from India
As a former coach, I've rarely seen such a comprehensive first T20I performance — India were better in every department. The platform set by the top order, combined with the precision of their bowling attack, suggests this will be a very difficult series for Afghanistan to turn around. With the second match approaching, punters backing an India series sweep are looking at increasingly convincing value. Afghanistan will need a dramatic change in approach if they are to make this series competitive.
