Abhishek Sharma storm blows apart Afghanistan in series opener
India got off to a rollicking start to their three-match T20I series against Afghanistan as Delhi witnessed a phenomenal performance from the Men in Blue.
A quality showdown from the bowlers put India in a comfortable position while their batters showcased a powerful performance to help cross the finish line without breaking a sweat.
Winning the toss, India opted to bowl first. Jasprit Bumrah descended upon the hosts in his mighty avatar, claiming Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0) in the first over itself. Ibrahim Zadran (11) and Sediqullah Atal (13) came together as Afghanistan fought back, adding 38 runs for the second wicket.
The stand got rattled when Ishan Kishan managed to run out Zadran while India doubled down the charge with Arshdeep Singh removing Atal in short succession.
Axar Patel removed Gulbadin Naib (2) while Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Darwish Rasooli (2) as India were in firm control, forcing the hosts to an uncomfortable corner where the score read 43/5.
Afghanistan managed to steady the ship after being buffeted by the Indian bowling waves as Azmatullah Omarzai (64*) and Mohammad Nabi (33) were able to put together a 83-run-stand for the sixth wicket. Arshdeep Singh eventually managed to shatter the partnership by claiming the latter.
Afghanistan concluded their innings at 156/8, courtesy of Omarzai putting up a blistering show. Arshdeep was the pick of the Indian lot with figures of 3/19 while Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah claimed one wicket apiece.
India had an early hiccup as Sanju Samson (10) fell early in the innings but that did very little to make the Men in Blue fret. Abhishek Sharma took over the reins and started smashing the Afghanistan bowlers into all corners of the park. He was joined by Ishan Kishan who was more than happy to play second fiddle, dispersing the looseners out of the ground.
The two added 121 runs from just 53 balls, as Sharma blasted 82 off just 32 balls, clobbering seven fours and seven sixes while Kishan got a 33-ball-42. Nabi forced a breakthrough, claiming Sharma but by then the ship had already sailed for Afghanistan to catch up.
Nabi dealt another blow to get the better of Kishan but India managed to steer their way to the finish line without breaking a sweat as Shreyas Iyer (8*) and Tilak Varma (3*) saw off the remainder of the chase. Sharma bagged the Player of the Match award for his clinical domination with the bat.
