India Secures Series Victory with Dominant Win Over Afghanistan in T20I

In a thrilling second T20I, India secured a seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan, thanks to Sanju Samson's explosive 57 runs and Nitish Reddy's impressive bowling. With this win, India takes an unassailable lead in the series. Reddy's three-wicket haul and disciplined bowling from the team restricted Afghanistan to 159 runs. Samson's rapid fifty and aggressive batting set the tone for India's chase, leading them to victory in just 14.5 overs. The match showcased exceptional performances from both teams, making it a memorable encounter for cricket fans.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 16, 2026, 00:03 IST

India's Commanding Performance in Second T20I

In a thrilling encounter on Tuesday, Sanju Samson's explosive innings of 57 runs off just 22 deliveries, combined with Nitish Reddy's impressive three-wicket haul, propelled India to a convincing seven-wicket victory against Afghanistan in the second T20I. This win granted India an unassailable lead in the three-match series.

Reddy showcased his bowling prowess with figures of 3 for 24, making an impact by taking a wicket with the first ball of each of his three overs. The Indian bowlers displayed remarkable discipline, limiting Afghanistan to a total of 159 for 8.

During the middle overs, India conceded only 64 runs between the 7th and 14th overs, leaving Afghanistan struggling at 105 for six after 15 overs. It was Mohammad Nabi (20) and Rashid Khan (28) who managed to add a crucial 48 runs off 28 balls, helping their team reach a respectable score.

In pursuit of 160 runs, openers Samson and Abhishek Sharma (39) unleashed a barrage of boundaries, scoring 82 runs for the loss of one wicket during the powerplay, setting a solid foundation for India's chase, which concluded in just 14.5 overs.

While Abhishek was the star in the opening T20I, it was the 31-year-old Samson who stole the show this time, hitting seven fours and four sixes, achieving his fastest fifty in just 20 balls, showcasing his exceptional timing and diverse range of strokes.

Afghanistan's strategy to start with spin from both ends backfired as Abhishek attacked Mujeeb Ur Rahman (3 for 37) with two boundaries in the first over, followed by a six off Nabi in the second.

Samson continued the assault, hitting a four off Azmatullah Omarzai before Abhishek struck Nabi for another six in the fourth over, as runs flowed freely.

In the fifth over, Samson exploded, hitting a six and two more boundaries, accumulating 20 runs off Omarzai. Nabi faced the brunt of the attack as Samson and Abhishek scored 27 runs off him, including three sixes and two fours.

In the seventh over, Rashid Khan (3 for 36) managed to dismiss Abhishek, who couldn't clear the boundary this time.

With a crowd of 24,215 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Samson reached his fastest T20 fifty with another four, followed by a six off Rashid. However, Rashid had the last laugh as he caught Samson off a lofted drive.

Ishan Kishan (38 not out off 23) and captain Shreyas Iyer (11) then joined forces. Iyer hit a six over extra cover but fell shortly after, with Ibrahim Zadran taking a catch after a slip fumble, marking Rashid's third wicket.

Earlier, Jasprit Bumrah set the tone for India with a maiden over, while Arshdeep Singh dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0) for his second consecutive duck of the series in the following over.

Captain Ibrahim Zadran (37) struck Bumrah for boundaries on his first two deliveries, while Arshdeep was also hit for two boundaries by Zadran, helping Afghanistan recover to 41 for one during the powerplay.

Afghanistan reached their fifty in the eighth over, but Reddy broke the partnership with his first ball, dismissing Zadran, who was caught by Bishnoi at deep midwicket.

Bishnoi then dismissed Sediqullah Atal, who hit straight to Tilak Varma at long-off, leaving Afghanistan at 59 for three in the 10th over.

Reddy struck again with his first delivery of his second over, removing Gulbadin Naib, who top-edged a swing, with Samson completing the catch.

Bishnoi dropped Omarzai (11) off Axar Patel (2 for 35), but the spinner soon had his man caught in his final over.

Arshdeep returned to end Rasooli's innings with Tilak taking a fine catch at long-off. This brought Nabi and Rashid together, who managed to score some boundaries to push Afghanistan closer to the 150-mark.

Nabi hit a four and a six off Bishnoi, while Rashid also found the boundary against Bumrah and Arshdeep, particularly punishing the left-arm seamer with 16 runs from two fours and a six.

Bumrah eventually dismissed Nabi in the 19th over, and Reddy took out Rashid with his first ball of the last over. Noor Ahmed managed to hit a six off the final delivery, as Afghanistan finished with just three runs more than their score in the first T20I.