IND vs AFG 1st T20I Full Match Report: Abhishek Sharma’s Blistering 82 Blows Afghanistan Away in Delhi
India’s three-match T20I series against Afghanistan couldn’t have started in more one-sided fashion. At a packed Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, Shreyas Iyer’s side chased down 157 with 38 balls to spare, riding on an outrageous 32-ball 82 from Abhishek Sharma that turned what looked like a competitive target into a virtual formality. India take a 1-0 lead in the series with two matches still to play.
Afghanistan Post a Below-Par 156
Shreyas Iyer won the toss and had no hesitation asking Afghanistan to bat first, and for large parts of the innings, that decision looked spot on. Afghanistan lost four wickets inside the mandatory powerplay overs, managing just 41 runs in that period and never really finding the fluency they’d have wanted at the top of the order. Arshdeep Singh was the chief destroyer with the new ball, finishing with figures of 3 for 19 from his four overs, including a sensational yorker that splattered Mohammad Nabi’s stumps. Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel picked up a wicket apiece as Afghanistan’s innings never really got the momentum needed against a disciplined Indian attack.
It was left to Azmatullah Omarzai to rescue the innings almost single-handedly. He combined with Mohammad Nabi for a 50-run stand off just 47 balls to drag Afghanistan past three figures, before going on to finish unbeaten on a stunning 64 off 44 balls, laced with four sixes and four fours. Nabi chipped in with 33 off 27 balls before Arshdeep bowled him, and Sediqullah Atal’s run-a-ball 13 was the only other contribution of note. Afghanistan eventually closed their innings on 156 for 8 — a total that, with the way India had bowled through the middle overs, always looked below-par on a good batting surface.
Abhishek Sharma Takes the Chase Away From Afghanistan
If Afghanistan had any hopes of defending 156, Abhishek Sharma put an end to them almost immediately. India smashed 12 runs off the very first over of the chase, and Sharma never let up from there, racing to a half-century inside the powerplay and continuing to find the boundary with almost every over that followed. Azmatullah Omarzai did strike back, removing the returning Sanju Samson relatively early, but it barely slowed India down.
Sharma and Ishan Kishan then put together a 121-run stand — the third-highest of any wicket for India against Afghanistan in T20I history — that effectively ended the contest as a genuine contest. Sharma’s innings eventually came to an end for 82 off just 32 balls, caught off Mohammad Nabi, but by then India were cruising. Kishan played his own classy hand, finishing with 42 off 33 balls including five fours and a six, before India completed the chase at 157 for 3 in just 13.4 overs — India’s third-highest successful run-chase against Afghanistan in the format.
Match Result Snapshot
- Afghanistan: 156/8 (20 overs) — Azmatullah Omarzai 64* (44 balls), Mohammad Nabi 33 (27 balls); Arshdeep Singh 3/19
- India: 157/3 (13.4 overs) — Abhishek Sharma 82 (32 balls), Ishan Kishan 42 (33 balls)
- Result: India won by 7 wickets (with 38 balls remaining)
- Player of the Match: Abhishek Sharma
- Series: India lead the three-match series 1-0
Shreyas Iyer’s Take
Speaking after the win, captain Shreyas Iyer was full of praise for how the team came together as a unit. “Everyone worked in synergy,” he said, singling out Jasprit Bumrah as a “great asset” who created early momentum, while also crediting Arshdeep Singh’s new-ball spell and Varun Chakravarthy’s follow-up work alongside Axar Patel through the middle overs. He also offered an honest note on a slightly unconventional bowling change late in the Afghan innings, saying it was “unfair” to throw Shivam Dube the ball without letting him get a proper read of the surface first — though he added it was a fine learning opportunity for Dube regardless. On the batting side, Iyer didn’t hold back on Abhishek Sharma’s knock, calling his strokeplay “flawless” and “exemplary,” while also praising Ishan Kishan’s calm, settled form at the crease.
What This Means Going Forward
It’s worth noting, as some of the post-match analysis pointed out, that the margin might have been even bigger had Afghanistan not managed to pick apart a few of India’s mistakes along the way — a sign that this Indian XI, despite the comfortable scoreline, still has some rough edges to smooth out before their next assignment at the Asian Games. Still, with the bat clicking so emphatically and the bowling attack sharing wickets around effectively, India will head into the second T20I with plenty of confidence and a chance to wrap up the series early.
What’s Next
The two sides now turn their attention to the second T20I, before wrapping up the three-match series with the finale shortly after. Afghanistan will need a much-improved batting effort at the top of the order if they’re to get back into this series, while India will look to carry forward the form of both their top order and their bowling unit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the result of the 1st T20I between India and Afghanistan?
India won by 7 wickets, chasing down Afghanistan’s 156/8 with 38 balls to spare.
Who was named Player of the Match?
Abhishek Sharma, for his innings of 82 off just 32 balls.
Who was the top scorer for Afghanistan?
Azmatullah Omarzai, who finished unbeaten on 64 off 44 balls, including four sixes and four fours.
Which Indian bowler was the most successful?
Arshdeep Singh, who took 3 wickets for 19 runs in his four overs.
Where was the match played?
At the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, on September 13, 2026.
What is the series situation after the 1st T20I?
India lead the three-match T20I series 1-0.
