India secured a seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the second T20 in Delhi on Tuesday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson scored 57, while all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed three wickets as India successfully chased Afghanistan’s 159-run target.
After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, India made an early breakthrough by dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck in the second over.
India continued to apply pressure and reduced Afghanistan to 96-5.
Captain Ibrahim Zadran top-scored with 37 from 33 balls. Afghanistan recovered late in the innings through Mohammad Nabi’s 20 and Rashid Khan’s 28, finishing at 159-8 in 20 overs.
Reddy was India’s standout bowler with figures of 3-24.
India began the chase aggressively, with Samson and Abhishek Sharma putting together an opening partnership of 88 runs from just 38 balls.
Abhishek scored 39 before Rashid Khan ended the partnership. Rashid then dismissed Samson in quick succession and removed India captain Shreyas Iyer for 11, leaving India at 123-3.
India’s batting depth ensured there was no late setback.
Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma combined for an unbeaten 40-run partnership from 25 balls to take India across the finish line.
Kishan hit the winning boundary as India reached the target with 31 balls remaining, completing another convincing seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan.
India had also won the opening match of the series by seven wickets on Sunday.
India captain Shreyas Iyer said the team had been looking for a comprehensive performance after the opening game and was pleased with the result.
With the series already secured, India will face Afghanistan in the third and final T20 at the same venue on Thursday.
Iyer indicated that the final match could provide an opportunity for players who have not featured in the first two games to get match practice.
The victory gives India a 2-0 unassailable series lead and maintains their strong start against Afghanistan in the three-match T20 series.
The final game will provide another opportunity for both sides, while India could use the match to give playing time to members of its squad who have so far remained on the sidelines.
