Sanju Samson finally had his moment in the Afghanistan series. The Kerala wicketkeeper-batter smashed a rapid 57 off 22 balls, while Nitish Kumar Reddy produced a three-wicket spell as India beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in the second T20I in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The win gave India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with one game still to play. India chased down Afghanistan’s 159 for eight in only 14.5 overs, finishing at 163 for three with 31 balls to spare.
Samson was the main attraction during the chase. After scoring only 10 in the first T20I, he came out with a clear intent to attack. He initially took a little time to settle before opening up during the latter part of the powerplay.
Once he found his rhythm, the boundaries came quickly. Samson struck seven fours and four sixes, racing to his half-century from just 20 balls. His strike rate of more than 259 gave India the perfect start in a chase that never looked in trouble.
Abhishek Sharma provided the ideal support at the other end. The left-hander made 39 from 19 deliveries, including two fours and four sixes.
The opening pair added 88 runs in 6.2 overs, putting India firmly ahead before Rashid Khan finally broke the partnership. Rashid removed Abhishek and Samson in the same over and later dismissed captain Shreyas Iyer for 11.
Afghanistan briefly hoped that the wickets might slow India down. They did not.
Ishan Kishan took charge from there. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 38 from 23 balls, while Tilak Varma stayed not out on 15. Kishan finished the match with a boundary off Rashid, sending India home with plenty of time remaining.
Reddy leads India’s bowling effort
India’s win was set up by a disciplined bowling performance earlier in the evening.
Captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to bowl, and India made an early breakthrough when Arshdeep Singh dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz for his second successive duck.
Afghanistan struggled to build momentum after that. Ibrahim Zadran tried to steady the innings, but Nitish Kumar Reddy ended his stay at the crease after he scored 37 from 33 balls.
Reddy then struck again, dismissing Gulbadin Naib before returning in the final over to remove Afghanistan’s biggest threat, Rashid Khan.
The all-rounder finished with three wickets for 24 runs from three overs and was named Player of the Match. It was an important response after he went wicketless in the opening T20I.
Reddy’s performance was especially encouraging because he has been working his way back from injury. After the match, he said he was feeling good physically and had been working at the Centre of Excellence to improve his fitness and bowling pace.
Arshdeep Singh also played a key role, taking two wickets for 35 runs. Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah claimed one wicket each.
Afghanistan’s late fight
Afghanistan were in trouble at 67 for four and later slipped to 100 for six in the 15th over. Their innings appeared headed towards a modest total.
Darwish Rasooli briefly changed the tempo with a quick 26 off 15 balls, but Arshdeep removed him soon after. Afghanistan needed something special from their lower order.
Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan provided it.
The pair put together a 48-run partnership, attacking India’s bowlers during the death overs. Nabi scored 20 from 14 balls, while Rashid made 28 from 16, with three fours and a six.
Their effort lifted Afghanistan to 159 for eight. It was only three runs more than their total in the opening T20I, but India again proved too strong in the chase.
Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran later admitted that his side had struggled to show enough intent in the powerplay. He said the team had aimed to push towards totals of 200 or more but could not execute that plan against India’s bowlers.
India in complete control
The second match followed a similar pattern to the opening game. Afghanistan made a competitive but modest total, and India chased it down with ease.
India also scored more than 75 runs in the powerplay for the second straight match. Against Afghanistan, the opening two games have produced totals of 157 for three and 163 for three, both coming with plenty of balls remaining.
The series has also given India several positives. Abhishek Sharma has been in outstanding touch, scoring 121 runs in the first two matches, while Ishan Kishan has added 80. Arshdeep Singh leads the bowling charts with five wickets.
Samson’s return to form is another boost. His 57 was not just his first major innings of the series but also showed the attacking style India wants from its top order.
Reddy’s performance with the ball added another dimension. His ability to contribute as an all-rounder gives India another option in the middle of the innings.
The third and final T20I will be played in Delhi on Thursday. With the series already decided, India have the chance to complete a clean sweep, while Afghanistan will look to finish the tour with a win.
India’s biggest takeaway is the manner of the two victories. The team has controlled both matches with the ball, attacked early with the bat and finished the job without allowing Afghanistan much opportunity to fight back.
The second T20I belonged to Samson and Reddy, but it was another complete team performance that secured India’s series victory.
