Abhishek Sharma's 82 powers India to 7-wicket win over Afghanistan in 1st T20I
Synopsis
Abhishek Sharma turned the Arun Jaitley Stadium into his personal batting range — a 22-ball fifty, a 32-ball 82, and a 121-run stand with Ishan Kishan wiped out Afghanistan's challenge in under 14 overs. India's chase of 157 was over almost before it began, with 38 balls to spare.
Key Takeaways
Abhishek Sharma scored a blistering 82 off 32 balls , including a 22-ball fifty — his 12th T20I half-century .
India chased down 157 in just 13.4 overs , winning by seven wickets with 38 balls to spare.
Abhishek and Ishan Kishan (42 off 33) added 121 runs for the second wicket.
India smashed 82 runs in the Powerplay alone, dismantling Afghanistan's bowling in the opening six overs.
Arshdeep Singh was India's best bowler with 3 for 19 ; Azmatullah Omarzai (64*) top-scored for Afghanistan.
India lead the three-match T20I series 1-0 .
Abhishek Sharma blazed an imperious 82 off 32 balls at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on 13 September 2026, demolishing Afghanistan's bowling attack and guiding India to a commanding seven-wicket victory in the first T20I of the three-match series. India overhauled a 157-run target with a staggering 38 balls to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Abhishek's Powerplay Blitz Sets the Tone
Sanju Samson provided an enterprising start before being dismissed off the bowling of Azmatullah Omarzai, caught at deep square leg after mistiming a flick. Abhishek, however, took complete charge from ball one. After getting off the mark with an inside-out loft off Mujeeb Ur Rahman, he unleashed a withering assault on the Afghanistan attack.
Omarzai and Fazalhaq Farooqi bore the brunt, with Abhishek repeatedly clearing the boundary with lofts and pulls. The fifth over from Farooqi proved particularly brutal — Abhishek plundered 26 runs from it, including a towering six over cover and a dismissive flick off a slower bouncer into deep midwicket. India finished the Powerplay at an extraordinary 82 runs.
The 121-Run Partnership That Sealed the Chase
Abhishek shared a 121-run second-wicket stand with Ishan Kishan, who contributed a measured 42 off 33 balls. Kishan's own highlights included a mammoth second-tier six off Farooqi and a boundary carved over point, ensuring relentless pressure from both ends.
Abhishek brought up his 12th T20I half-century off just 22 balls — a feat that also brought up India's team hundred — with a nudge to leg. He then launched into Rashid Khan, stepping out to deposit a towering six over mid-wicket before closing the ninth over with a flat-batted maximum over deep extra cover.
Abhishek's Dismissal and India's Composed Finish
Abhishek's spectacular knock finally ended when he failed to connect cleanly with a full toss from Mohammad Nabi, holing out to long-on. He had earlier struck a series of devastating blows, including sixes off Noor Ahmad — a pulled six over wide long-on and a gorgeous lofted drive over deep extra cover.
With the asking rate firmly under control, Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma applied the finishing touches alongside Kishan, who also fell in the deep off Nabi, to complete the win. The Delhi crowd, despite Afghanistan being the designated home side, roared loudest for India throughout the evening.
Afghanistan's Bowling and Batting at a Glance
Earlier, India's bowlers restricted Afghanistan to 156/8 in 20 overs. Azmatullah Omarzai top-scored with an unbeaten 64, supported by Mohammad Nabi's 33. Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets for 19 runs, while Varun Chakravarthy chipped in with 1 for 16.
Brief Scores: Afghanistan 156/8 in 20 overs (Azmatullah Omarzai 64*, Mohammad Nabi 33; Arshdeep Singh 3-19, Varun Chakravarthy 1-16) lost to India 157/3 in 13.4 overs (Abhishek Sharma 82, Ishan Kishan 42; Mohammad Nabi 2-28, Azmatullah Omarzai 1-14) by seven wickets. The second T20I in this series will be the next opportunity for Afghanistan to level the score.
Point of View
And India's Powerplay tally of 82 exposed just how thin Afghanistan's bowling depth is without a cutting-edge seam attack. The real question this series raises is whether India's middle order — Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma — will get enough time in the middle to be match-ready ahead of tougher assignments. On this evidence, the top order may not leave them much to do.
NationPress
14 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the 1st T20I between India and Afghanistan?
India beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in the 1st T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on 13 September 2026, chasing down 157 in just 13.4 overs. The win gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
How did Abhishek Sharma perform in the 1st T20I against Afghanistan?
Abhishek Sharma scored a match-winning 82 off 32 balls, bringing up his half-century in just 22 balls — his 12th T20I fifty. He was the central force behind India's dominant chase, smashing sixes and fours off the entire Afghanistan attack before holing out to long-on off Mohammad Nabi.
Who were the other top performers for India in the 1st T20I?
Ishan Kishan contributed 42 off 33 balls in a 121-run second-wicket stand with Abhishek Sharma. With the ball, Arshdeep Singh was India's standout performer, claiming 3 wickets for 19 runs to help restrict Afghanistan to 156/8.
How did Afghanistan fare in the 1st T20I?
Afghanistan posted 156/8 in 20 overs, with Azmatullah Omarzai top-scoring with an unbeaten 64 and Mohammad Nabi contributing 33. Their bowlers were overwhelmed by Abhishek's assault, conceding 82 runs in the Powerplay alone.
Where was the 1st India vs Afghanistan T20I played?
The match was played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on 13 September 2026, with Afghanistan as the designated home side but the crowd cheering loudly for India.
