DELHI: Sanju Samson produced a blistering innings as India defeated Afghanistan by seven wickets in the second T20I at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday, completing a series-clinching victory.
Chasing 160, India reached the target inside 14 overs after losing only three wickets. The hosts made a commanding start through Abhishek Sharma and Samson, who added 88 runs during the first six overs.
Sharma scored 39 from 19 deliveries, hitting four sixes and two fours. Samson was even more destructive, smashing four sixes and seven fours in an unbeaten-looking 57 off just 22 balls.
Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma then completed the chase with an unbeaten 40-run partnership, ensuring another one-sided contest.
Rashid Khan was Afghanistan’s most successful bowler, claiming all three Indian wickets.
Afghanistan Post 159-8
Earlier, Afghanistan recovered from a difficult beginning to post 159-8 in their 20 overs, with Rashid Khan providing valuable runs late in the innings.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for a duck after facing three deliveries, but Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal steadied the innings with a half-century partnership.
India’s bowlers responded with a series of quick wickets, leaving Afghanistan at 59-3 at the halfway stage. Zadran top-scored with 37 off 33 balls, including six fours, while Atal made 12 from 15 deliveries with two fours.
Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan then added 48 runs for the seventh wicket to give Afghanistan a much-needed boost. Their partnership lifted the total from 100 to 148 in 19.1 overs.
Nabi contributed 20 off 14 balls, hitting one six and two fours. Rashid followed with 28 from 16 deliveries, including three fours and a six.
Nitish Kumar Reddy was India’s leading wicket-taker, finishing with three wickets.
India Complete Series Victory
India’s emphatic chase secured the second T20I and gave them an unassailable lead in the series. Samson’s explosive batting was the defining feature of the match, while Afghanistan’s late recovery with the bat helped them reach a competitive total before India took control.
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