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AFG vs IND
Afghanistan vs India Highlights, 1st T20I: Abhishek storm blows away Afghanistan in Delhi
New Delhi,UPDATED: Sep 13, 2026 23:03 IST
Afghanistan (AFG) vs India (IND) Highlights: Abhishek Sharma's incredible 82 off 32 balls has helped India secure a comfortable 7-wicket win over Afghanistan in Delhi. Afghanistan bowlers struggled to make any inroads in the powerplay as India ran away with the game.
Afghanistan vs India Live Score (Courtesy: AFP)
23:03 IST:
That's a wrap - Just a day's break and the two teams will meet again here in Delhi on Tuesday, 15th September. India will be keen to wrap up the series, while Afghanistan will be desperate for a response. They will need a much-improved showing with both bat and ball if they are to put Shreyas Iyer and his men under pressure and keep the series alive. The game will begin at 2 pm GMT (7.30 pm IST), but as always, you can join us early for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!23:03 IST:
The skipper of India - Shreyas Iyer, about the field placements and bowling execution, feels really happy to see the synergy on the field. He heaps praise on Jasprit Bumrah, calling him a great asset and a genuine match-winner. Continues by adding that the early breakthroughs set the tone and built momentum from the start. Also credits Arshdeep's bowling, saying he followed up with a brilliant spell of his own, with Axar and Varun continuing the pressure after him. Overall, Iyer calls this bowling performance a phenomenal effort. On handing Dube the final over, Iyer says there weren't many options left. Also admits it was a tough ask for him too, coming on fresh for the 20th over without a real feel for the pace of the wicket or how it was behaving. Details that he is not overly concerned, though, and adds that Dube will go back and work out exactly what needs fixing. On Abhishek's batting display and Kishan's form, Iyer starts by praising Abhishek, calling his strokeplay flawless and exemplary through the innings. Turning to Kishan, he says he is in excellent touch right now, and points to how settled he has looked both in the dressing room and during practice. Calls Kishan calm, relaxed, and clearly assured of his game.22:58 IST:
The captain of Afghanistan - Ibrahim Zadran says it was not the result they wanted. He feels they got off to a good start but then lost a cluster of wickets, which put them under pressure. Ibrahim says they batted well through the middle phase but ultimately did not have enough runs on the board. Zadran also feels his run-out was a turning point in the innings. He says India are a top fielding side and praises Ishan Kishan for his accurate throw in the run-out. Mentions that Rahmanullah Gurbaz did not have his day, but backs him to come back stronger.22:55 IST:
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Abhishek Sharma takes home the award for his scintillating knock of 82 runs off 32 balls, studded with 7 fours and as many sixes. Abhishek says getting a catch in the first over, that too in the slips, makes one feel really confident. Mentions that when they face Bumrah during the net sessions, it feels like they are facing the first few overs of a Test match. Details that they are always on their toes in the slips when he bowls. On the team's consistency, Sharma points back two years to a clear decision to play an aggressive brand of cricket and dominate opponents ahead of the World Cup. He adds that while the results have largely gone their way, and a series or two shouldn't define them as a batting unit. Stresses that the team always comes first, and that a fast start usually puts them well ahead when chasing something in the 150 to 160 range.22:50 IST:
Time for the presentation ceremony...22:40 IST:
Recovered, but not enough - Returning to T20Is after a period away, India were not at their best with the ball upfront, but still managed to have Afghanistan 5 down inside 7 overs. At 43/5, two experienced campaigners, Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai, came together to steady the ship, putting on an 83-run stand for the 6th wicket. Nabi's departure was followed by a quiet period for the Afghans, but Omarzai batted through to provide the final flourish and give his side something to work with. Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakaravarthy were among the pick of the bowlers for India, with both keeping things miserly. Arshdeep claimed 3 wickets, while Varun chipped in with one.22:34 IST:
Sunday special from Sharma - The back of the chase was broken in the Powerplay itself, with Abhishek Sharma ensuring that, after a quiet tour of Zimbabwe, normal service resumed. Watchful at the start, the southpaw soon shifted gears and teed off, leaving Afghanistan scrambling for answers. They repeatedly missed their mark against Sharma and could not come up with a plan to contain him. A 121-run stand between Sharma and Ishan Kishan sealed the fate of the game, with the chase completed inside 14 overs.22:30 IST:
India canter home - A chase of 157 was made to look ridiculously easy by the reigning T20I champions. India remain the only team Afghanistan are yet to beat in international cricket among the Full Members. Pegged back early with the bat, the Ibrahim Zadran-led unit were always playing catch-up from there, and India proved far too good for them.22:29 IST:
13.4: Rashid Khan to Tilak Varma, Comfortably done. Afghanistan have been Abhi-shocked in Delhi! Length delivery outside off, Tilak rocks back and steers it toward backward point for a single. It comes off the toe end, though. And hang on, the fielder has a shy at the bowling end but misses, and there is an overthrow that gifts India the extra run and the triumph as well. India win by 7 wickets with 38 balls to spare! A thunderous batting display by the Men in Blue as they go 1-0 in the series.22:28 IST:
13.3: Rashid Khan to Shreyas Iyer, Flat googly, full on the leg stump. Iyer gets across and tickles it to the right of short fine leg for a quick single. Iyer is not happy with Tilak not calling for the run.22:27 IST:
13.2: Rashid Khan to Tilak Varma, Drops it short on off, Tilak rocks back and knocks it to long off for an easy run.22:26 IST:
13.1: Rashid Khan to Shreyas Iyer, A touch shorter, on middle, Shreyas whips it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single. Score 152/3
BatsmanTilak Varma 0(2b 0*4 0*6)
BowlerMohammad Nabi 3-0-28-2
22:25 IST:
12.6: Mohammad Nabi to Tilak Varma, The length is dragged back a bit, on off, Tilak backs away and punches it to cover.22:25 IST:
12.5: Mohammad Nabi to Tilak Varma, The off-break, full and on middle, Tilak lunges and looks to flick across, but the ball grazes the leading edge and rolls into covers.22:25 IST:
The new batter is Tilak Varma. 22:24 IST:
12.4: Mohammad Nabi to Ishan Kishan, OUT! CAUGHT BRILLIANTLY! Rashid Khan comes up with a top grab. On a length, shaping in from outside off. Kishan gets forward and hammers flat and hard back down the ground. It doesn't climb much, sailing flat towards Rashid stationed at long on. Right on the rope, he lifts one leg to stay inside the line and pouches the catch clean after balancing up. The umpires want to check whether Rashid came in contact with the boundary cushion while holding the ball. And the replay confirms that it is a legal catch. Kishan's fun ends, and India are 152/3, needing 5 runs to win.22:22 IST:
12.3: Mohammad Nabi to Shreyas Iyer, In line of the stumps, full in length, Shreyas clips it along the ground to wide deep square leg for a single.22:22 IST:
12.2: Mohammad Nabi to Ishan Kishan, Short and outside off, Ishan hangs back and cuts it powerfully to deep cover-point for a single.22:21 IST:
12.1: Mohammad Nabi to Ishan Kishan, FOUR! In a hurry to get the job done. Too full from Nabi, very quick at 103 kph, outside off. Ishan responds with equal brute force and blasts that down the ground. Before long on can move a muscle, the ball crashes into the fence. India bring up their 150, and they need just 7 more runs to win.22:21 IST:
Could be the last over of the game. India need 11 runs to win from 48 balls.Score 146/2
BatsmanIshan Kishan 37(30b 4*4 1*6)
BowlerRashid Khan 3-0-29-0
22:20 IST:
11.6: Rashid Khan to Ishan Kishan, Full at 96 kph, on the pads. Kishan turns it away behind square leg and retains the strike with a single.22:20 IST:
11.5: Rashid Khan to Shreyas Iyer, Short and wide on off. Iyer stays back and slaps it wide of deep cover. Kishan is keen for the second run but is sent back by his partner and rightly so, as the fielder in the deep was quick to get rid of the ball.22:19 IST:
11.4: Rashid Khan to Shreyas Iyer, FOUR! In the gap. Flighted up, a bit of turn, on off. Iyer presses forward and plays it late as he angles the drive through point. Darwish Rasooli covers a lot of ground to his left and dives but in vain.22:19 IST:
11.3: Rashid Khan to Ishan Kishan, Dropped short, on middle, Kishan pulls it to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end.22:18 IST:
11.2: Rashid Khan to Ishan Kishan, An optimistic shout for LBW! Full and around leg, Kishan lunges for the flick but is beaten on the inside edge and gets hit on the front pad. That has pitched outside the line of the leg stump.22:18 IST:
11.1: Rashid Khan to Ishan Kishan, Down leg, full in length. Kishan fails to help it away as the ball clips his pads and drops on the deck.22:18 IST:
Abhishek's overdrive finally switches off. No real celebration from Rashid and the others as they know the game has gone far away from them. Shreyas Iyer walks in at number 4.Score 139/2
BatsmanAbhishek Sharma 82(32b 7*4 7*6)
BowlerMohammad Nabi 2-0-22-1
22:17 IST:
10.6: Mohammad Nabi to Abhishek Sharma, OUT! CAUGHT! Abhishek Sharma holes out. End of the entertainment from the southpaw. Nabi tries to dart it in very full from around the wicket but ends up serving a full toss, on middle and leg. Sharma has a heave across the line but he does so early and the ball catches the toe end of the blade. It is skied towards wide long on, where Rashid Khan initially thinks that the deep mid-wicket fielder is closer to the ball and hence he does not commit to the catch. He later goes for it and slides to take a reverse cup catch at head height. End of a 121-run stand. India are 139/2, needing 18 more runs.22:16 IST:
10.5: Mohammad Nabi to Abhishek Sharma, Shorter and on middle. Sharma clears the front leg and hangs deep in the crease as he smears it away to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.22:15 IST:
10.4: Mohammad Nabi to Abhishek Sharma, SIX! Picked up beautifully. Flighted up, aimed at the pads. Sharma gets the front leg out of the way and sinks to a knee as he swats it behind square leg. Gets just enough bat on it to clear the fence. 20 more needed for the win as well as for Sharma to reach his hundred.22:14 IST:
10.3: Mohammad Nabi to Ishan Kishan, Low full toss, outside off. Kishan hangs low and drags it down to long on with the bottom hand coming off the bat handle. They cross.22:14 IST:
10.2: Mohammad Nabi to Ishan Kishan, Dropped short, outside off. Kishan spanks it hard and picks out the bones out of it, only to find the cover fielder.22:14 IST:
10.1: Mohammad Nabi to Ishan Kishan, Spears it in very full, on middle. Kishan steps out but ends up yorking himself. Jams it out back to the bowler.22:14 IST:
DRINKS BREAK! We have witnessed ball-striking of the highest order, with Abhishek Sharma once again putting on a show. It has been one-way traffic in the second essay, with Afghanistan unable to come up with answers to contain the carnage from the southpaw. That has made the result a mere formality, and we are now left with the final rites to be written in this contest. Score 130/1
BatsmanAbhishek Sharma 74(29b 7*4 6*6)
BowlerNoor Ahmad 2-0-25-0
22:10 IST:
9.6: Noor Ahmad to Abhishek Sharma, Out comes the googly, on a good length, around off. Abhishek takes a step across and punches it straight to cover-point.22:09 IST:
9.5: Noor Ahmad to Abhishek Sharma, Flatter and shorter, tighter line, just outside the off pole. Abhishek tries to force it away but ends up chopping it down to the right of the bowler.22:09 IST:
9.4: Noor Ahmad to Abhishek Sharma, SIX MORE! He is in a no-nonsense mood. Drops in a half-volley, right into the slot, outside off, Abhishek plants the front leg beside the ball and swings it over long off for another effortless six.22:08 IST:
9.3: Noor Ahmad to Abhishek Sharma, SIX! Marvelous ball striking. Short of a length, angled in around off. Sharma rocks back in a flash and muscles a lofted pull high into the night sky, sailing it cleanly over deep mid-wicket.22:07 IST:
9.2: Noor Ahmad to Ishan Kishan, Full on the stumps, a googly, seemingly. Ishan turns it into mid-wicket for a single which brings up the 100-run partnership between Ishan and Abhishek in a super-quick time.22:07 IST:
9.1: Noor Ahmad to Ishan Kishan, FOUR! Quality shot! Flat and full, on off, Ishan takes a giant stride in front and strokes it powerfully down the ground for a boundary, beating long on to his right. Straight as an arrow.Score 113/1
BatsmanAbhishek Sharma 62(25b 7*4 4*6)
BowlerRashid Khan 2-0-22-0
22:06 IST:
8.6: Rashid Khan to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Hammered! No mercy for Rashid. Short and outside off, Abhishek Sharma stays put and effortlessly lifts it over extra covers for a cracking boundary.22:05 IST:
8.5: Rashid Khan to Abhishek Sharma, SIX! High and handsome. A bit fuller on the stumps, drifting in. Abhishek Sharma skips down the track, converts it into a half-volley and hoists it over wide deep mid-wicket for a huge six.
22:09 IST:
Alan John says
AFG vs IND Live: No mercy from Abhishek Sharma
When Abhishek Sharma is in full flow, the reputation of bowlers doesn't matter at all. He has been clinical and just destructive tonight. The Sher-e-Punjab experience has got him in the groove and he is ready to finish this game off quickly.
22:05 IST:
8.4: Rashid Khan to Abhishek Sharma, Bowls a googly from around the stumps by using the wider angle. This is dropped a touch full and outside off, Abhishek slices it over cover-point and a slight fumble in the deep allows them to cross for the second run as well.22:04 IST:
8.3: Rashid Khan to Ishan Kishan, Short and on off, Ishan whips it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.22:04 IST:
8.2: Rashid Khan to Abhishek Sharma, FIFTY FOR ABHISHEK SHARMA! After a streak of low scores and a forgettable series in Zimbabwe, Abhishek has roared back in style with a 22-ball half-century. That's his 12th T20I fifty as well. Full on the leg stump, quicker too, this is worked down to long on for a single. This also brings up the 100 for India. In just 8.2 overs. This has been insane ball-striking by these two, especially Sharma.22:04 IST:
8.1: Rashid Khan to Ishan Kishan, On the leg stump, full and quick at 96 kph. Ishan jumps out of the crease to flick but misses. The balll strikes his front pad and ricochets to the square leg region. They get a leg bye.22:04 IST:
A slight hold-up in play as the umpire has a word with Ibrahim Zadran. Not quite sure what that is about.Score 98/1
BatsmanIshan Kishan 28(19b 3*4 1*6)
BowlerNoor Ahmad 1-0-8-0
22:02 IST:
7.6: Noor Ahmad to Ishan Kishan, Pitched fuller and on the stumps, Ishan drills it straight back at the bowler. Noor sticks out his right leg to stop the ball on his follow-through but the ball deflects and rolls behind for a single. India need 59 runs from 72 balls.22:01 IST:
7.5: Noor Ahmad to Abhishek Sharma, Outside off on a length, Abhishek hammers it to the left of the diving cover fielder for a single.22:01 IST:
7.5: Noor Ahmad to Abhishek Sharma, WIDE! Action replay of the previous ball. Down the leg stump, quicker through the air, another wrong'un. Abhishek swings and misses.22:01 IST:
7.5: Noor Ahmad to Abhishek Sharma, WIDE! Hurls in a googly now, short but it spins down leg. Abhishek swings his blade hard to mow it across but misses. Gurbaz moves to his right to collect the ball.22:00 IST:
7.4: Noor Ahmad to Abhishek Sharma, Dishes out a fuller ball, in front of the stumps. Abhishek shows respect and leans forward to smother the spin.21:59 IST:
7.3: Noor Ahmad to Ishan Kishan, Full and quick, outside off, Ishan comes ahead and powers it down to long off for a single.21:58 IST:
7.2: Noor Ahmad to Ishan Kishan, A fraction fuller and sliding onto the pads, Ishan whisks it through square leg for a quick couple of runs. Oh hang on, the third umpire is checking whether there is a short run at the batting end. But the replay shows that Abhishek had tapped the bat inside the crease.21:57 IST:
7.1: Noor Ahmad to Abhishek Sharma, Over the wicket. Begins with a very full ball, outside off, Sharma carves it away to deep backward point for a single.21:57 IST:
More spin as Noor Ahmad has been handed the ball.Score 90/1
BatsmanAbhishek Sharma 47(18b 6*4 3*6)
BowlerRashid Khan 1-0-8-0
21:56 IST:
6.6: Rashid Khan to Abhishek Sharma, Slides in a flatter length ball, outside off, Abhishek Sharma swings hard to pull but loses his shape a bit and the ball squirts off the inside edge to deep backward square leg for a single. 8 runs from Rashid's first over.21:55 IST:
6.5: Rashid Khan to Ishan Kishan, From around the stump, on a length, on off, Ishan stabs into covers for a single.21:55 IST:
6.4: Rashid Khan to Abhishek Sharma, Quicker and fuller, on leg, Abhishek heaves it off the inner half of the bat to deep mid-wicket for a single.21:54 IST:
6.3: Rashid Khan to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! He is just dealing in boundaries, is Abhishek. Shorter and outside off, another googly dished out by Khan. Abhishek Sharma picks the variation early, stands tall and pumps it over the covers for a boundary.21:54 IST:
6.2: Rashid Khan to Ishan Kishan, A googly now, on a length, around off, Ishan hangs deep inside the crease and whips it down to long on for a single.21:53 IST:
6.1: Rashid Khan to Ishan Kishan, Rashid starts with a leg break, tossing it fuller on the leg stump. Ishan tries to flick it off the pads, but misses and is struck on the front pad.21:54 IST:
Rashid Khan comes on to bowl.Score 82/1
BatsmanAbhishek Sharma 41(15b 5*4 3*6)
BowlerMohammad Nabi 1-0-13-0
21:52 IST:
5.6: Mohammad Nabi to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Clean strike! Juicy half-volley on middle and leg, Abhishek moves leg side and launches it over the mid on fielder to pick up another four. He is into his 40s already. India finish their Powerplay with 82/1 on the board.21:55 IST:
Amar Panicker says
AFG vs IND Live: Big finish to the powerplay
Just when you think Afghanistan have a chance, both Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma show their dominance with the bat. They just seem to be in the zone and nothing but themselves can really get them out.
21:51 IST:
5.5: Mohammad Nabi to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Luck favors the brave, they say! Very full from Nabi, outside off, Abhishek Sharma keeps swinging his blade mercilessly, gets an outside edge but the ball flies over short third for a boundary.21:51 IST:
5.4: Mohammad Nabi to Ishan Kishan, Darts it full and on the leg stump. Ishan shimmies down the track to whack it down the ground, but the ball gets sliced on the bounce to short third for a single.21:51 IST:
5.3: Mohammad Nabi to Ishan Kishan, FOUR! Majestic batting! Not all that short from Nabi, on middle and it actually keeps very low on bounce. Still, Kishan hangs back and nails the pull shot, finding the gap at deep mid-wicket for a cracking boundary.21:50 IST:
5.2: Mohammad Nabi to Ishan Kishan, Floated on a length, around off. Ishan backs away and slaps it to the cover fielder. The ball gets parried to the man at mid off as he half-stops.21:50 IST:
5.1: Mohammad Nabi to Ishan Kishan, Around the stumps, quicker at 91 kph, full on middle. Ishan uses his feet and taps it to the left of the bowler.21:50 IST:
Farooqi has been taken to the cleaners. It's one-way traffic in Delhi at the moment with India motoring through untroubled. And here comes Mohammad Nabi into the attack to wrap up the Powerplay.Score 69/1
BatsmanAbhishek Sharma 33(13b 3*4 3*6)
BowlerFazalhaq Farooqi 2-0-38-0
21:48 IST:
4.6: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! No need to run for that. The 50-run stand comes up in just 19 balls. Banged into the deck again, on off. Sharma backs away to open up the off side and frees his arms to slap it over cover for yet another four. 26 runs off the over.21:51 IST:
Amar Panicker says
AFG vs IND Live: Big over for India
That's just poor bowling from Fazalhaq Farooqui. 26 runs from it and both Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma are taking him to the cleaners. Perhaps there might be some spin coming up next. India don't really need to take too much risk at the moment.
21:48 IST:
4.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Abhishek Sharma, SIX! Dispatched with disdain. 22 runs off the over, and there is still one ball left. Farooqi repeats the slower bumper but this time Abhishek is up to the task. He takes a step down the track and pummels it over deep mid-wicket. He plays it with a bit of flair too, lifting his front leg.21:47 IST:
4.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Abhishek Sharma, Out comes the slower, short ball, at the bodyline of the batter. Sharma arches back to play the upper cut but fails to connect.21:46 IST:
4.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Abhishek Sharma, FIVE WIDES! It is going from bad to worse for Fazalhaq Farooqi. Seam-up ball, trying to tuck the left-hander for room but it keeps going down leg.21:45 IST:
4.3: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ishan Kishan, Fazalhaq drags the length back and takes the pace off, on off and middle. Kishan shapes up to go for the pull but then adjusts to the slower one and checks his shot. Nudges it square on the leg side for a single.21:45 IST:
4.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ishan Kishan, FOUR! In the gap. India go past 50 in 4.2 overs. Farooqi attempts the yorker but it comes out as a low full toss, slanting in at the pads. Kishan hangs low and takes the ball on the full. Swipes it to the right of the man at deep square leg for a four.21:44 IST:
4.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ishan Kishan, SIX! That has gone back many a mile! Fazalhaq Farooqi errs with his line, as this is angled in at the hips from over the wicket. Ishan arches inside the line of the ball and he picks it up behind square leg with the angle for a six.21:46 IST:
Amar Panicker says
AFG vs IND Live: Ishan Kishan looks unstoppable
We keep seeing this over and over again. Ishan Kishan has been unstoppable. Be it domestic cricket or now for India in the T20I setup. He is now opening up and playing some clean attacking shots as well.
Afghanistan need to get a breakthrough, question is who do they turn to for that?
21:43 IST:
Abhishek is in a solid touch out there. He has galloped to 23 off just 10 balls. Fazalhaq Farooqi returns into the attack, replacing Azmatullah Omarzai.Score 43/1
BatsmanAbhishek Sharma 23(10b 2*4 2*6)
BowlerMujeeb Ur Rahman 2-0-16-0
21:42 IST:
3.6: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Up and over! Mujeeb so nearly gets it spot on in terms of the yorker, on middle and leg. Abhishek gets the front leg out of the way and gets the leverage to pump it back over the bowler's head. One bounce and into the fence.21:42 IST:
3.5: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ishan Kishan, Shorter and angled in at the hips. Ishan fails to make any connection on the glance. The batters are quick to sneak in a leg bye as the ball dribbles towards square leg.21:41 IST:
3.4: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Abhishek Sharma, Full and darted in on middle, this is hit down to long off for a single.21:41 IST:
3.3: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ishan Kishan, Fuller and on middle and leg. Kishan lunges and eases it to long on. They cross.21:41 IST:
3.2: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ishan Kishan, Too straight, on the pads, helped to short fine leg by Ishan.21:40 IST:
3.1: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ishan Kishan, FOUR! Width offered and Ishan cashes in. On the shorter side, enough width for Ishan to work with. Fast hands from the southpaw as he cuts it to the right of backward point for a four.21:41 IST:
Despite a big wicket, Omarzai goes for 14 in his first. India need 125 runs from 102 balls. Mujeeb Ur Rahman continues...Score 32/1
BatsmanAbhishek Sharma 18(8b 1*4 2*6)
BowlerAzmatullah Omarzai 1-0-14-1
21:39 IST:
2.6: Azmatullah Omarzai to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Put away with ease. Omarzai goes into the wicket but this sits up to be hit, on off. Abhishek hangs back and unleashes the pull over mid-wicket for a boundary.21:39 IST:
2.5: Azmatullah Omarzai to Abhishek Sharma, Does not carry! Skidding through, on a short of a length, on off. Sharma has more of a jab at the ball rather than a full-blooded pull. Sharma does not get the width to get his hands through the line of the ball and is hurried as well. Spoons it wide of deep square leg, where Sediqullah Atal charges across to his right but the ball drops short of him. He does well to get his body behind the ball and even though it is parried away to his right, it only results in a couple.21:38 IST:
2.4: Azmatullah Omarzai to Abhishek Sharma, SIX! High and handsome! Seam-up ball, going across the left-hander on a length. Abhishek puts his head down and with a clean swing of the arms, he tonks it over long off for a maximum.21:37 IST:
2.4: Azmatullah Omarzai to Abhishek Sharma, Wide! Well wide on off. Abhishek lets it through.21:36 IST:
2.3: Azmatullah Omarzai to Ishan Kishan, Fuller and on off, Kishan drills it back past the non-striker. The mid off fielder moves to his left and tumbles away to make the stop. Just a single.21:36 IST:
2.2: Azmatullah Omarzai to Ishan Kishan, Hits the hard length, on off. Ishan hops back and punches it to mid off.21:36 IST:
The evening just keeps getting better and better for Omarzai. Sanju's lean patch seems to know no end as for now. He was preferred over Sooryavanshi, but cannot hang in for long. In walks Ishan Kishan at number 3.21:37 IST:
2.1: Azmatullah Omarzai to Sanju Samson, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Azmatullah Omarzai is having a special night. Impact with the bat earlier and now he has struck with his first ball. This is on a back of a length, on middle. Samson takes a step back in the crease and tries to pick it up over deep square leg, but he is early into the shot. Gets it right off the bottom half of the blade and, as a result, he only gets the height and not the distance. Darwish Rasooli moves to his left at deep square leg and takes a safe catch. India are 18/1, chasing 157.21:35 IST:
Bowler number 3 in the third over for Afghanistan. Azmatullah Omarzai is introduced into the attack. He was instrumental with the bat. Can he produce the same brilliance with the ball? He replaces Fazalhaq Farooqi.Score 18/0
BatsmanAbhishek Sharma 6(5b 0*4 1*6)
BowlerMujeeb Ur Rahman 1-0-6-0
21:33 IST:
1.6: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Abhishek Sharma, This keeps a bit low and skids through, on a good length. Sharma makes room, trying to force it through the off side. Chops it down towards mid on due to the lack of bounce.21:33 IST:
1.5: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Abhishek Sharma, Angled in from around the wicket, on a good length. Sharma firms the drive to mid on.21:32 IST:
1.4: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Sanju Samson, This is fired in, full and on middle. Samson pushes at the ball with hard hands. Ekes out an inside edge onto the pads. The ball dribbles beside the strip on the off side and Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes after it but cannot prevent the batters from sneaking in a quick single.21:31 IST:
1.3: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Stand and deliver. At 95 kph, fractionally short, around off. Samson plants his front foot forward and gets his hands through the line of the ball, powering it over wide mid off for a boundary.21:31 IST:
1.2: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Sanju Samson, Fuller and curving back in, on middle. Samson shapes up for the big shot but then adjusts and stabs it down on the off side.21:30 IST:
1.2: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Sanju Samson, Wide! Darted down leg, on a nagging length. Sanju misses out on the tickle. The ball deflects off the keeper's gloves and rolls to short fine leg.21:30 IST:
1.1: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Sanju Samson, Following the batter as he backs away a touch, on a good length. Samson taps it to the bowler's right. Mujeeb gets low to make the stop.21:31 IST:
Two delicious hits to get India up and running in the chase. And an early introduction of spin. Here's Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Not unknown to operate with the new ball, though.Score 12/0
BatsmanAbhishek Sharma 6(3b 0*4 1*6)
BowlerFazalhaq Farooqi 1-0-12-0
21:29 IST:
0.6: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Abhishek Sharma, SIX! Into the stands! Farooqi stays on the fuller side and gets the ball to curve away. He ends up being a bit too full, and Abhishek takes full toll. Sharma collapses his back knee and extends his hands as he slams it over cover for a biggie. 21:28 IST:
0.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Abhishek Sharma, Closer to the off stump, nice and full, a hint of away shape. Abhishek knocks it to cover watchfully.21:27 IST:
0.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Abhishek Sharma, Wide. Floated up, flirting with the tramline. Abhishek thinks about going after it but then lets it go as the ball drifts just outside the guideline.21:27 IST:
0.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Abhishek Sharma, Hooping back in, full and on middle and leg. Abhishek plays around his front pad as he tucks it to mid-wicket.21:26 IST:
0.3: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Sanju Samson, This is pushed across the right-hander, on a back of a length. Sanju runs it down to deep backward point with the angle and crosses over.21:25 IST:
0.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Lovely shot. Samson and India are underway. Shaping back into the right-hander, fuller and on the pads. Samson brings his wrists into play and flicks it well wide to the left of the deep square leg fielder for a boundary.21:24 IST:
0.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Sanju Samson, Steams in from over the wicket, a bit of a loosener first up, on a back of a length, wide on off. Samson does not move his feet at all and mistimes it off the back foot to cover.21:24 IST:
Welcome back for India's batting reply. The Afghans are in a huddle before they scatter throughout the field and take their respective positions. Abhishek Sharma walks out with Sanju Samson to open the innings for India. Fazalhaq Farooqi has the new ball and is raring to go. Samson is taking the strike.21:22 IST:
... The Run Chase ...21:29 IST:
A middling total - 157 is by no means a threatening target with the batting firepower India have at their disposal. But make no mistake, their top order has been a bit inconsistent of late and if the Afghans manage to break the first wall early, this could set up a mouth-watering contest. It is an important game for someone like Samson, who has scored just 33 runs in his last four innings, with three single digit scores. Even Abhishek, who has scored just 30 runs in his last five outings. But on a fairly good batting track, they will look to feast. Back in a bit for the run chase.21:22 IST:
The Omarzai show - Afghanistan were rattled early, with half the side blown away before they could settle. Ibrahim and Atal looked comfortable while they lasted, but the innings unravelled from 38/1 to 43/5 in a hurry. With stability badly needed, Nabi and Omarzai came together and produced a rollicking stand of 83 to drag their side out of trouble. In a desperate aim to stop the carnage, Arshdeep was brought back into the attack and he answered the call by removing Nabi. And because of that, Bumrah and Arshdeep squeezed in a couple of quiet overs, displaying their death bowling mastery. But with Omarzai at the crease, and the kind of form he is in, he just went bang-bang in the climax by taking Dube to the cleaners to help Afghanistan breach 150.21:17 IST:
3.44 pm GMT (9.14 pm IST) - It was turning out to be a brilliant finish with the ball for India but that final over has swung the momentum back to the Afghans. Although the score on the board still might not look sufficient enough, but at one point, the Afghans didn't even look to breach three digits. It was a night to forget for the likes of Nitish and the Dube experiment in the final over went awry for the Men in Blue. In a combined three overs, they have leaked 51 runs with the others bowling exceptionally well on the other hand.Score 156/8
BatsmanMujeeb Ur Rahman 9(3b 2*4 0*6)
BowlerShivam Dube 1-0-21-0
21:12 IST:
19.6: Shivam Dube to Mujeeb Ur Rahman, FOUR! Banged away. Afghanistan finish with a flourish. 21 runs off the final over help Afghanistan finish on 156/8. Dube goes into the deck but fails to get it short enough to trouble the batter. Mujeeb cashes in on the width as he stands tall and smacks it up and over extra cover for four more.21:24 IST:
Akshay Ramesh says
AFG vs IND Live: Afghanistan pull things back
India's bowlers made a strong start after opting to field, with Jasprit Bumrah striking on his return from injury and Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy joining the attack. Afghanistan's top order collapsed to 43 for 5, with two run-outs adding to their troubles. However, Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai steadied the innings with an 83-run sixth-wicket stand. Arshdeep eventually broke the partnership and finished with impressive figures of 3 for 19, while Bumrah bowled a tidy death over to keep Rashid Khan quiet. Afghanistan recovered late through Omarzai, who capitalised on Shivam Dube's final over to take the visitors past 150
21:11 IST:
19.5: Shivam Dube to Mujeeb Ur Rahman, FOUR! Mujeeb Ur Rahman flashes and flashes hard. The 150 is up for Afghanistan. Dube sticks to the plan of bowling it full and wide on off. Mujeeb shuffles across to get closer to the line of the ball and swings with all his might. The outside edge flies fine of the short third fielder and races away.21:11 IST:
19.4: Shivam Dube to Azmatullah Omarzai, This is even slower, full and wide on off. Omarzai swings a bit too hard and loses his shape. He mishits it off the inner half towards wide mid on and takes the single this time.21:10 IST:
19.3: Shivam Dube to Azmatullah Omarzai, SIX! Up, up and away! That is a shot and a half. Scrambled seam ball, near the tramline on off, on a length. Omarzai reaches out and is able to get under the ball by getting low on the stance. Slams it over cover for another maximum.21:09 IST:
19.2: Shivam Dube to Azmatullah Omarzai, SIX! Azmatullah Omarzai needed no second invitation there. Dube goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a juicy low full toss, on off. Omarzai gets behind the line and tonks it over long on for a maximum.21:08 IST:
19.1: Shivam Dube to Azmatullah Omarzai, Dube keeps it away from the batter's arc, on a length. Omarzai throws his hands at the ball but mistimes it down to long off. He turns down the single on offer and understandably so.21:09 IST:
Who will bowl the last over? Nitish? Or does Dube have an outside chance? Voila! He has. Shivam Dube will wrap it up. Omarzai has the strike so the Afghans can definitely breach 150.Score 135/8
BatsmanAzmatullah Omarzai 51(40b 4*4 2*6)
BowlerArshdeep Singh 4-0-19-3
21:07 IST:
18.6: Arshdeep Singh to Azmatullah Omarzai, Not in control but safe. Pushed across the right-hander from over the wicket, on a length. Omarzai clears the front leg and swings for the hills. The ball leaves him to catch the outer half and it is sliced towards deep cover. Ishan Kishan moves to his right but the ball drops out of his reach. Single taken by Azmat to keep the strike.21:06 IST:
18.5: Arshdeep Singh to Mujeeb Ur Rahman, On a hard length, tucking the batter up for room. Mujeeb rises with the bounce and nurdles it square on the leg side for a single.21:05 IST:
18.5: Arshdeep Singh to Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Wide! Full and down leg. Mujeeb misses out on the tickle.21:04 IST:
18.4: Arshdeep Singh to Azmatullah Omarzai, FIFTY FOR OMARZAI, only his 2nd in T20Is. Time and time again, Azmatullah continues to prove his worth to the Afghan side as an all-rounder. Fuller in length, angled in at the stumps. Azmat brings his wrists into play and clips it towards deep square leg for a single to reach his landmark.21:04 IST:
Afghanistan are badly falling apart in the back end of the innings. They have slipped from 126/5 to 131/8. That brings Mujeeb Ur Rahman to the crease.21:04 IST:
18.3: Arshdeep Singh to Noor Ahmad, OUT! NOOR AHMAD IS RUN OUT! Excellent work in the field by the Indian captain. Skidding through, in and around the off stump, on a back of a length. Noor taps it wide of cover from the crease before setting off for a quick single. Shreyas Iyer moves swiftly to his right, and the ball bounces nicely for him. He picks it up with one hand and while being on the move, he scores a direct hit at the bowling end. Noor is caught short of the crease, and being on the back foot to begin with did not help his cause either.21:03 IST:
Noor Ahmad is in at number 9 with 10 balls left in the first innings.21:01 IST:
18.2: Arshdeep Singh to Rashid Khan, OUT! CAUGHT! Rashid Khan's scratchy stay comes to an end. This was in the slot for Rashid, and he will be disappointed to have missed out on putting it away. Around the off stump. Rashid gets the front leg out of the way and has a swing at it. The bat turns in his hand as the ball goes back over the bowler's head. Axar Patel moves to his right from long off and gobbles it up with ease.21:01 IST:
18.1: Arshdeep Singh to Rashid Khan, At 134 kph, a bumper, which is directed at the body of the batter. Rashid sinks underneath the ball.21:00 IST:
18.1: Arshdeep Singh to Rashid Khan, Wide! Sprays a full ball, down leg. Rashid tries to swing it away with the angle by getting low but misses.21:03 IST:
Decision-making time for Shreyas. Will he bring Arshdeep for the penultimate over? If yes, it will leave him with Nitish for the final over, who has been pretty expensive so far. And yes, he continues with Arshdeep Singh (3-0-15-2) for the 19th.Score 130/6
BatsmanRashid Khan 1(8b 0*4 0*6)
BowlerJasprit Bumrah 4-0-26-1
20:59 IST:
17.6: Jasprit Bumrah to Rashid Khan, Bumrah finishes just as well. Spears in a yorker, tailing back in on middle and leg. Khan drops his bat down on the ball and squeezes it out to short third for just a single. The momentum is being sucked out of this Afghan innings after that surge of 4 overs. 10 runs off the last 12 balls.20:58 IST:
17.5: Jasprit Bumrah to Azmatullah Omarzai, Takes pace off, keeping it away from the batter's arc, on a short of a good length. Azmat slaps it to deep point for just a single. So far, so good from Bumrah. Just 2 runs off the over so far.20:58 IST:
17.4: Jasprit Bumrah to Azmatullah Omarzai, Bumrah goes wide on the crease and nails the yorker, right at the base of the middle stump. Omarzai gets his bat down and digs it out back to the bowler.20:57 IST:
17.3: Jasprit Bumrah to Rashid Khan, Another slower, short ball, on middle. Rashid has a flash at the ball this time but fails to make any connection. It bounces awkwardly in front of Sanju Samson, who cannot make a clean stop. It is parried away off the keeper's pad towards short fine leg for a bye.20:56 IST:
17.2: Jasprit Bumrah to Rashid Khan, Rashid is yet to get off the mark. It has been 7 balls since Azmatullah Omarzai faced a delivery. Bumrah dishes out the slower bumper, over middle. Rashid arches back to play the upper cut but misses.20:56 IST:
17.1: Jasprit Bumrah to Rashid Khan, Starts with the off-cutter, into the surface, on middle. Rashid hangs back to deal with it but the ball spins back sharply and jumps on the batter, catching him on the glove.20:56 IST:
A sensational over from Arshdeep amid the carnage. Just 7 runs from it. Right, three overs to go. Jasprit Bumrah (3-0-24-1) has one over left, and he is back on to bowl out.Score 127/6
BatsmanRashid Khan 0(4b 0*4 0*6)
BowlerArshdeep Singh 3-0-14-2
20:55 IST:
16.6: Arshdeep Singh to Rashid Khan, Arshdeep returns to the around-the-wicket angle and this is slanted in at the pads. Rashid is beaten for pace on the flick. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes away on the leg side off the pads.20:53 IST:
16.5: Arshdeep Singh to Rashid Khan, Out comes the bumper at the bodyline of the batter. Rashid ducks under it. Three dots in a row after the wicket.20:53 IST:
16.4: Arshdeep Singh to Rashid Khan, Switches to over the wicket now, bowled on a good length, on middle. Rashid turns it from the crease to mid-wicket.20:52 IST:
16.3: Arshdeep Singh to Rashid Khan, Around off, on a back of a length. Rashid angles it off the back foot to backward point.20:52 IST:
Superb response from Arshdeep to break this dangerous-looking 83-run partnership. Rashid Khan walks in at number 8. He is also very much capable to strike the ball hard into the crowd.20:51 IST:
16.2: Arshdeep Singh to Mohammad Nabi, OUT! TIMBER! Arshdeep Singh answers right back, and he has his arms aloft in celebration. Mohammad Nabi is absolutely livid with himself as he swings his bat away in disgust. Singh sticks to the off-pace delivery but pitches it up. Nabi crouches and tries to swipe it away towards the leg side but he is undone by the slower one. It drops on him and sneaks under the blade, with the willow getting stuck in the turf as Nabi tries to turn the ball away. Afghanistan are now 126/6.20:53 IST:
Amar Panicker says
1st T20I Live: Arshdeep strikes!
That's the wicket India were looking for. A clean yorker darting onto the stumps and it gets the job done. Mohammad Nabi looked in good touch with the bat and was livid with himself after throwing his wicket away.
20:50 IST:
16.1: Arshdeep Singh to Mohammad Nabi, SIX! Clean strike! Arshdeep begins with the slower one, on a back of a length, on middle. This sits up to be hit and Nabi pumps it with a horizontal bat over long on for a biggie.20:50 IST:
Last 4 overs left. Afghanistan will be eyeing a total beyond 160 now with the way these two are striking the ball. Arshdeep Singh (2-0-8-1) is back on.Score 120/5
BatsmanAzmatullah Omarzai 48(36b 4*4 2*6)
BowlerAxar Patel 4-0-27-1
20:48 IST:
15.6: Axar Patel to Azmatullah Omarzai, Short and wide on off, Azmatullah Omarzai stands tall and spanks it wide of deep cover for a brace.20:48 IST:
15.5: Axar Patel to Azmatullah Omarzai, SIX! All the way. That will add to the frustration of Axar Patel. Sliding on with the arm, a bit on the shorter side, on middle and leg. Omarzai goes deep in the crease and pummels it over the deep square leg fence for a six.20:47 IST:
15.4: Axar Patel to Azmatullah Omarzai, Nearly chopped it on! Slower and on a good length, outside off. Omarzai flashes at the ball but gets an inside edge that sneaks past the stumps and rolls to short fine leg.20:47 IST:
15.3: Axar Patel to Mohammad Nabi, Flatter and shorter, quicker as well, on middle. Nabi backs away and lofts it over the bowler's head for a single.20:47 IST:
15.2: Axar Patel to Azmatullah Omarzai, PUT DOWN! Ishan Kishan shells a sitter. Azmatullah Omarzai had given up. Fractionally short, on middle and leg. Omarzai hops deep in the crease to unleash the pull. Gets it high on the bat and it is spooned straight down the throat of deep mid-wicket, where Ishan settles under it but the ball pops out of his grasp. Single taken.20:55 IST:
Akshay Ramesh says
AFG vs IND: India's fielding needs to improve
India’s fielding continues to be a concern. New fielding coach Subhadeep Ghosh gave India a good workout in the last two days in Delhi. But, Ishan Kishan dropped a dolly. And a couple of throws did not have anyone backing up. It looks like the fielding woes will need more time to fix. Certainly not looking good on the No. 1 T20I team.
20:46 IST:
15.1: Axar Patel to Azmatullah Omarzai, SIX MORE! These two are putting on a real show here! Into the slot by Axar, on the stumps, Omarzai swings it nice and clean with pure timing and hoists it over deep mid-wicket for half a dozen more runs.20:47 IST:
After the first 12 overs, Afghanistan were 58/5, but in the last 4 overs, they have scored 46 runs.Score 104/5
BatsmanMohammad Nabi 26(24b 2*4 1*6)
BowlerNitish Kumar Reddy 2-0-30-0
20:45 IST:
14.6: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Mohammad Nabi, SIX! Absolutely carted away by 'The President'! A juicy half-volley by Nitish, on the stumps, begging to be punished. Nabi gets his front leg out of the way and thumps it powerfully down the ground for a cracking six. And with that, the 100 is up for Afghanistan. 5 overs left.20:44 IST:
14.5: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Mohammad Nabi, FOUR! Not at all where he wanted to hit, but he will take it. Once again, Nitish slips in the full toss, on middle, Nabi tries to whip it across into the leg side, but gets a massive leading edge and beats the deep cover fielder to his left for a boundary.20:43 IST:
14.4: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Azmatullah Omarzai, Another full toss, on middle, Omarzai whisks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.20:43 IST:
14.3: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Azmatullah Omarzai, Good work in the deep! Low full toss, on middle and leg, Azmatullah Omarzai whips it between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket. Arshdeep Singh runs and dives to his left from the former position and relays the ball to the converging Bishnoi. Two taken.20:42 IST:
14.2: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Azmatullah Omarzai, Bangs it short but takes the pace off, outside the off pole. Omarzai arches back and lines up to uppercut it, only to miss out.20:41 IST:
14.1: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Azmatullah Omarzai, FOUR! This partnership is developing nicely now for Afghanistan. Too full and tailing on the leg stump. Azmatullah Omarzai's head falls over, but he skilfully whips it to deep backward square leg and finds the fence.20:41 IST:
Nitish Kumar Reddy (1-0-13-0) is back with a change of ends.Score 87/5
BatsmanAzmatullah Omarzai 26(27b 3*4 0*6)
BowlerAbhishek Sharma 1-0-8-0
20:40 IST:
13.6: Abhishek Sharma to Azmatullah Omarzai, Darted into the stumps, on a fuller length. Omarzai heaves it across to deep mid-wicket for a single. 8 runs from Abhishek's first over.20:39 IST:
13.5: Abhishek Sharma to Azmatullah Omarzai, FOUR! Up and over and in the gap as well! Pitched full and wide outside off. Azmatullah Omarzai creates room and slices it over cover-point. The ball beats the sweeper to his left.20:39 IST:
13.4: Abhishek Sharma to Mohammad Nabi, On a fullish length, around off, Nabi strokes it down to long off for a run.20:39 IST:
13.3: Abhishek Sharma to Mohammad Nabi, Beaten! Full and floated outside off, Mohammad Nabi backs away and looks to muscle it over covers, but gets beaten all ends up by the turn.20:38 IST:
13.2: Abhishek Sharma to Azmatullah Omarzai, Pulls the length back, does Abhishek, Omarzai flays it to deep point for a single.20:38 IST:
13.1: Abhishek Sharma to Mohammad Nabi, Slides the ball in on a length, on the leg stump. Nabi hangs back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.20:38 IST:
Abhishek Sharma to roll his arm over now. Shreyas Iyer also has the option of turning to Shivam Dube. Score 79/5
BatsmanAzmatullah Omarzai 20(24b 2*4 0*6)
BowlerVarun Chakaravarthy 4-0-16-1
20:36 IST:
12.6: Varun Chakaravarthy to Azmatullah Omarzai, Quicker and fuller, the leg break now, on middle. Azmatullah Omarzai looks to flick it to the leg side, but the ball grazes the outer portion of his bat and rolls away to covers. 1/16 in 4 overs for Varun Chakaravarthy. Simply brilliant.20:41 IST:
Alan John says
AFG vs IND Live: Varun bowls a sensational spell
A sensational spell from Varun, ony ruined by a couple of no-balls in his final over. It was nice to see Varun not bowling a lot of short deliveries and trusting himself. He ends with figures of 4-0-16-1.
20:36 IST:
12.5: Varun Chakaravarthy to Mohammad Nabi, Dishes out a length ball, on the leg stump. Nabi hangs back and steers it wide of mid on for a single.20:36 IST:
12.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to Mohammad Nabi, Slides it in at 93 kph, full and on the leg stump. Nabi tries to nudge it across but plays over the wrong line and the ball deflects off the front pad to point.20:35 IST:
12.3: Varun Chakaravarthy to Azmatullah Omarzai, Too full, almost a yorker, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai drills it down to long on for a single. Despite two No Balls in this over, just 7 runs so far.20:34 IST:
12.3: Varun Chakaravarthy to Azmatullah Omarzai, Oh, dear! Another No Ball for overstepping! Full and quick, outside off, Omarzai carves it inside out to extra cover. Another Free Hit to follow.20:33 IST:
12.2: Varun Chakaravarthy to Azmatullah Omarzai, High but not long enough! Flatter and fuller, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai clears the front leg and tries to hoist it over mid-wicket, but mistimes it badly off the toe end of the bat. The ball balloons up but lands in front of the converging deep mid-wicket fielder. Two runs taken.20:32 IST:
12.2: Varun Chakaravarthy to Mohammad Nabi, Shortens the length, on off, Mohammad Nabi punches it down the ground. Varun bends low to stop the ball on his follow-through to his right, but the ball seeps through down the ground for a single. Uh, on. No Ball signalled as Varun Chakaravarthy has overstepped. Free Hit coming up...20:32 IST:
12.1: Varun Chakaravarthy to Azmatullah Omarzai, On a length and drifting in, Azmatullah Omarzai tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.Score 71/5
BatsmanMohammad Nabi 12(16b 1*4 0*6)
BowlerNitish Kumar Reddy 1-0-13-0
20:31 IST:
11.6: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Mohammad Nabi, Fuller in length, outside off, a slower delivery at 113 kph. Mohammad Nabi looks to slap that through covers, but the ball cuts back in to graze his inside edge and roll back to the keeper.20:32 IST:
13 runs off the over so far.20:30 IST:
11.6: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Mohammad Nabi, WIDE! Slower ball, but beyond the tramline, outside off. Let through by Nabi.20:30 IST:
11.5: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Mohammad Nabi, Off cutter now, short on off, Mohammad Nabi dabs it off the back foot to the right of backward point. They dash through for a single as the sub fielder, Ravi Bishnoi, releases a quick throw to the batting end, but misses his shy. With no proper backup on the leg side, the ball rolls to the deep and the batters charge through for the second run.20:29 IST:
11.4: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Azmatullah Omarzai, Short of a good length, a leg cutter by the looks of it, on the stumps, Azmatullah Omarzai hangs back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.20:28 IST:
11.3: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Azmatullah Omarzai, FOUR! Off the edge! Short again from Reddy, outside off with a bit of extra bounce. Azmatullah Omarzai tries to cut it square on the off side, but gets an outside edge off his flashing blade before the ball runs between the keeper and short third for a boundary.20:27 IST:
11.2: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Mohammad Nabi, Angles it in, on a length, Nabi hangs back and stabs it down to the mid on region for an easy single.20:26 IST:
11.1: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Mohammad Nabi, FOUR! Welcome to the attack, Nitish! He starts with a length-delivery, on top of off and middle. Nabi backs away to create room and hammers it over the extra cover fielder for a cracking boundary. One bounce and into the fence.20:27 IST:
Nitish Kumar Reddy has been introduced into the attack. India's 5th bowling option of the night.Score 58/5
BatsmanAzmatullah Omarzai 11(17b 1*4 0*6)
BowlerVarun Chakaravarthy 3-0-8-1
20:25 IST:
10.6: Varun Chakaravarthy to Azmatullah Omarzai, A smidge full and on off, Azmatullah Omarzai stays leg side and opens the bat face late to guide it to the fielder at short third. Another tidy over from Varun! 1/8 in 3 overs are his bowling figures so far.20:25 IST:
10.5: Varun Chakaravarthy to Azmatullah Omarzai, Big swing and a miss! Pitched full and on a flatter trajectory, outside off. Azmatullah Omarzai swings with all his might, but the ball spins past his blade. Samson cannot collect it cleanly as the ball drops out of his gloves.20:24 IST:
10.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to Azmatullah Omarzai, Slips in a low full toss that tails in, Azmatullah Omarzai takes it on the full and drives it straight to the fielder at extra cover.20:24 IST:
10.3: Varun Chakaravarthy to Mohammad Nabi, Spins the other way now, full and outside off. Nabi stretches forward and creams it to deep point for an easy single.20:23 IST:
10.2: Varun Chakaravarthy to Mohammad Nabi, Off-break, on a length, on middle, Nabi exposes all his stumps and looks to cut it away, but ends up chopping it on the surface.20:23 IST:
10.1: Varun Chakaravarthy to Azmatullah Omarzai, Gets the ball to drift in, full on leg, Omarzai leans on and clips it to mid on for a single.20:24 IST:
Drinks Break! India have reduced Afghanistan to 56/5 at the halfway stage. For a while though, the Afghans looked in control, with Atal and Ibrahim Zadran putting together 33 and giving the innings some early rhythm. But India have been flawless on the field tonight, snapping up every chance that has come their way. The bowlers, seamers and spinners alike, have responded in kind too. From Afghanistan's point of view, this particular partnership between Omarzai and Nabi is very crucial if they are to post anything close to 150.Score 56/5
BatsmanMohammad Nabi 4(10b 0*4 0*6)
BowlerJasprit Bumrah 3-0-24-1
20:19 IST:
9.6: Jasprit Bumrah to Mohammad Nabi, Angled in before straightening a bit off the deck, on a short of a length, outside off. Nabi defends it from the crease.20:19 IST:
9.5: Jasprit Bumrah to Azmatullah Omarzai, The length is pulled back now, on off. Omarzai stands tall on top of the bounce and punches it between cover and mid off. Shreyas Iyer charges across to his left at mid off but cannot pick the ball up cleanly in one go, allowing Azmat to get home safely.20:18 IST:
9.4: Jasprit Bumrah to Azmatullah Omarzai, FOUR! Gets it through! Bumrah serves the off-cutter, floating it up, on off. Omarzai picks it up early and extends his hands into the drive. The cover fielder flings himself to his right but in vain, and the mid off fielder is a mere spectator.20:17 IST:
9.3: Jasprit Bumrah to Mohammad Nabi, Hits the top of the off pole at pace. Nabi presents the full face of the blade and pats it to long on for one.20:17 IST:
9.2: Jasprit Bumrah to Mohammad Nabi, Brings out the off-cutter, into the deck. Nabi tries to turn it away on the leg side with a closed bat face but is beaten on the inside edge. It grazes the thigh pad before going towards the keeper on the bounce.20:16 IST:
9.1: Jasprit Bumrah to Mohammad Nabi, Begins on a back of a length, on off. Nabi glides it off the back foot to backward point.20:16 IST:
Jasprit Bumrah is back into the attack. 1/18 in 2 overs so far.Score 50/5
BatsmanMohammad Nabi 3(6b 0*4 0*6)
BowlerVarun Chakaravarthy 2-0-6-1
20:15 IST:
8.6: Varun Chakaravarthy to Mohammad Nabi, In line with the off pole, on a good length. Nabi lets the ball come on and punches it wide of cover for a single. The 50 is up for Afghanistan.20:14 IST:
8.5: Varun Chakaravarthy to Mohammad Nabi, This keeps coming in with the arm, shorter and on middle. Nabi stays back and taps it to cover.20:14 IST:
8.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to Mohammad Nabi, Quicker now and fuller as well, on middle and leg. Nabi flicks it to mid-wicket.20:14 IST:
8.3: Varun Chakaravarthy to Mohammad Nabi, Almost dragged it on! Another googly, not all that short, on off. Nabi is caught in his crease and has a poke at the ball whilst staying beside the line. Gets an inside edge and it sneaks past the stumps before racing down to deep fine leg. Arshdeep Singh moves to his right and cuts it off. A couple of runs taken.20:13 IST:
8.2: Varun Chakaravarthy to Mohammad Nabi, Serves the googly, on a good length, Nabi presses forward to smother the spin but it kicks up a bit to rap him on the glove and it rolls to mid-wicket.20:13 IST:
8.1: Varun Chakaravarthy to Azmatullah Omarzai, Nice and full, on middle. Omarzai wrists it in front of square on the leg side and gets to the other end.Score 46/5
BatsmanMohammad Nabi 0(1b 0*4 0*6)
BowlerAxar Patel 3-0-11-1
20:12 IST:
7.6: Axar Patel to Mohammad Nabi, Full and angled in at the sticks. Nabi lunges for the block.20:11 IST:
7.5: Axar Patel to Azmatullah Omarzai, Stays full, around off. Omarzai pushes it towards long off and turns the strike over.20:11 IST:
7.4: Axar Patel to Azmatullah Omarzai, Nearly sneaked through. Darted in with a round-arm action, on middle. Omarzai goes deep in the crease and exposes all three stumps, looking to open up the off side. It skids through to catch the underedge and it drops to the deck.20:11 IST:
7.3: Axar Patel to Azmatullah Omarzai, Sliding on with the arm, shorter and on off. Azmatullah chops it down on the off side.20:10 IST:
7.2: Axar Patel to Azmatullah Omarzai, Short and flat, Omarzai cuts it to backward point.20:10 IST:
7.1: Axar Patel to Azmatullah Omarzai, Flighted up, outside off. Omarzai reaches out and cracks the drive all along the ground towards wide long off. Tilak Varma sprints and slides to his left to mop it up. Two taken.20:10 IST:
Within a blink, half the Afghan side is back in the hut. Mohammad Nabi walks in at number 7.Score 43/5
BatsmanDarwish Rasooli 2(6b 0*4 0*6)
BowlerVarun Chakaravarthy 1-0-2-1
20:09 IST:
6.6: Varun Chakaravarthy to Darwish Rasooli, OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Bowled neck and crop as Varun Chakaravarthy gets in on the act. It is the googly by Chakaravarthy, Not all that short, on middle and leg. Rasooli misreads the length and stays back to a ball he was better off being forward to. He hangs his bat out to play the line of the ball, but it skids through to sneak past the inside edge and shatters the stumps. Afghanistan are now 43/5.20:15 IST:
Alan John says
AFG vs IND Live: Afghanistan looking clueless
Apart from a brief bit of explosiveness from Atal, Afghanistan batters just seem to be clueless at the moment. Their approach also seems to be confusing at the moment. They haven't been in full attack mode or too defensive. The early wickets have rattled them and the extra bounce is helping India here.
20:08 IST:
6.5: Varun Chakaravarthy to Darwish Rasooli, Half a shout for LBW, but turned down. It seemed to be doing too much. Sliding onto the pads, on a good length. Rasooli plays all around it and is rapped on the front pad.20:08 IST:
6.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to Azmatullah Omarzai, Dropped short, wide on off. Omarzai reaches out and slaps it to deep point for a single.20:07 IST:
6.3: Varun Chakaravarthy to Azmatullah Omarzai, Quicker through the air, keeping the stumps in play, on a nagging length. Azmatullah turns it towards mid-wicket but can't get it past Shivam Dube there.20:07 IST:
6.2: Varun Chakaravarthy to Azmatullah Omarzai, It does not take long for the googly to come out. On a good length, just outside off. Omarzai shapes up to play the drive on the rise but mishits it down the pitch.20:06 IST:
6.1: Varun Chakaravarthy to Darwish Rasooli, At 93 kph, angled in at the hips, on the shorter side. Rasooli presses back and nurdles it behind square leg for a single.20:07 IST:
End of the Powerplay. India have bossed it up in Delhi. To further tighten the screws, here's Varun Chakaravarthy into the attack. A slip in place and he replaces Arshdeep Singh.Score 41/4
BatsmanAzmatullah Omarzai 0(2b 0*4 0*6)
BowlerAxar Patel 2-0-8-1
20:05 IST:
5.6: Axar Patel to Azmatullah Omarzai, Drags the length back and this is slowed down, on off. Omarzai lunges across and dabs it towards cover. Shreyas Iyer is quick to his left and cuts down the single. End of a successful over for Axar Patel and India. After 6 overs, Afghanistan are 41/4.20:05 IST:
5.5: Axar Patel to Azmatullah Omarzai, Speared in full and quick, on off. Azmatullah Omarzai knocks it off the front foot to cover.20:05 IST:
India have been flawless in the field tonight. Afghanistan have been rocked hard. Azmatullah Omarzai walks out on a rescue mission.20:04 IST:
5.4: Axar Patel to Gulbadin Naib, OUT! CAUGHT! That is a good running catch by Nitish Kumar Reddy. This is tossed up by Axar, fuller and outside off. Naib gets down on a knee and goes for the slog sweep. He takes the risk of going against the turn and pays the price. The ball straightens slightly to catch the top edge. It is skied over point, where Reddy runs over his left shoulder and slides to take a fine catch close to his body. Afghanistan are now 4 down for 41.20:02 IST:
5.3: Axar Patel to Darwish Rasooli, And again. Flat and short, skidding through in line with the off stump. Darwish makes room for the cut but he is hurried. Chops it wide of cover and scampers through for a single.20:02 IST:
5.2: Axar Patel to Darwish Rasooli, This is pushed through at 94 kph, not all that short, on middle. Rasooli hurriedly stabs it down the deck.20:02 IST:
5.1: Axar Patel to Gulbadin Naib, Floated up at 90 kph, full and on middle. Naib leans across and plays around his front pad as he works it wide of mid-wicket for a single.20:02 IST:
Axar Patel to close out the Powerplay.Score 39/3
BatsmanDarwish Rasooli 0(1b 0*4 0*6)
BowlerArshdeep Singh 2-0-8-1
20:01 IST:
4.6: Arshdeep Singh to Darwish Rasooli, On a good length, nipping away. Darwish plays it on the rise and knocks it straight to cover.20:00 IST:
Top three back in the hut inside the Powerplay. Darwish Rasooli is in next.19:59 IST:
4.5: Arshdeep Singh to Sediqullah Atal, OUT! CAUGHT WITH EASE! Arshdeep gets into the wickets as well. He bowls it wide outside the off stump and gets a good bit of outswing on it. Sediqullah Atal jams the bat down and looks to carve it behind square on the off side, but the ball gets sliced uppishly and Bumrah gets an easy catching practice at short third. Afghanistan have been reduced to 39/3 in 4.5 overs.19:58 IST:
4.4: Arshdeep Singh to Gulbadin Naib, Skiddy delivery, shortish in length, on the leg stump. Gulbadin Naib shapes up for the pull shot but misses and the ball thuds his thigh pad.19:57 IST:
4.3: Arshdeep Singh to Gulbadin Naib, Back of a length, around off, Naib hangs back and punches it to covers.19:57 IST:
4.2: Arshdeep Singh to Gulbadin Naib, Swings back in a shade, on a good length, on top of the stumps. Naib walks forward to negate the swing and tries to whip it over mid-wicket, but misses and the ball carries through to the keeper.19:56 IST:
4.1: Arshdeep Singh to Gulbadin Naib, Pitched on good length, and off. This is steered to the cover-point region.19:56 IST:
Gulbadin Naib makes his way out to the middle. Arshdeep Singh returns to the attack with a change of ends. Arshdeep went for 7 runs in his only over so far.Score 38/2
BatsmanIbrahim Zadran 11(10b 2*4 0*6)
BowlerAxar Patel 1-0-6-0
19:55 IST:
3.6: Axar Patel to Ibrahim Zadran, OUT! IBRAHIM IS RUN OUT! Magnificent piece of fielding from Ishan Kishan. Zadran on the other hand, is fuming at his partner. Slightly short and on the leg stump line, Ibrahim Zadran stands tall and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. They run the first one hard as Ishan Kishan sprints to his left from deep square leg. Zadran sets off for the second run but his partner sends him back halfway through. To make matters worse, Ibrahim loses his footing slightly while turning around. Ishan throws it accurately towards the bowling end. Axar collects it around his chest and whips the bails off in a flash, with Ibrahim out by a fair bit. Afghanistan are 38/2 after 4 overs.19:53 IST:
3.5: Axar Patel to Sediqullah Atal, A bit shorter and on the leg stump line, Sediqullah Atal hangs back and drags it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.19:53 IST:
3.4: Axar Patel to Sediqullah Atal, Down the leg stump, full in length, Atal misses the sweep and the ball rolls off his pads to deep fine leg. They collect two leg byes.19:53 IST:
3.3: Axar Patel to Ibrahim Zadran, Sliding onto the pads, on a fuller length, Zadran tries to whip it across, but plays over it and is hit on the front pad. The ball rolls to the off side and they are quick enough to take a leg bye.19:52 IST:
3.2: Axar Patel to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR! Big in-drifter, on a fuller length, going down leg. Ibrahim Zadran sits across on his knee and sweeps it fine to deep fine leg for a boundary.19:52 IST:
3.1: Axar Patel to Ibrahim Zadran, Axar is into the attack. He starts from around the stumps and bowls a flatter delivery, drifting in. Zadran tries to hack it across the line but gets a bit hurried and gets an inside edge on the pads.Score 29/1
BatsmanSediqullah Atal 12(10b 1*4 1*6)
BowlerJasprit Bumrah 2-0-18-1
19:51 IST:
2.6: Jasprit Bumrah to Sediqullah Atal, Loose from Atal this time! Bumrah gets the ball to move away, on a good length, outside off. Sediqullah Atal loosely hangs the bat away from his body as the ball zips past his bat.19:50 IST:
2.5: Jasprit Bumrah to Sediqullah Atal, FOUR! Sumptuous! Bumrah overcooks this one and bowls a half-volley on the middle stump, from around the stumps. Sediqullah Atal presents straight bat and drives it crisply down the ground, and it goes gun-barrel straight to the fence.19:49 IST:
2.4: Jasprit Bumrah to Sediqullah Atal, Nagging length, around off, dabbed away to backward point.19:49 IST:
2.3: Jasprit Bumrah to Sediqullah Atal, SIX! Goodness, me! That's gone too flat. Short of a length, on middle and leg. Sediqullah Atal heaves it powerfully, and it goes flat and all the way to deep mid-wicket for a six. The first six of the match.19:48 IST:
2.2: Jasprit Bumrah to Ibrahim Zadran, Had to really hurry! Really impressive fielding from Nitish Kumar Reddy. Gets extra lift off the pitch, short at the ribs. Zadran rides the bounce and tucks it gently to square leg. Nitish swoops in with a dive and releases a quick throw to the batting end, but misses his shy. Atal makes it through in a hurry.19:47 IST:
2.1: Jasprit Bumrah to Ibrahim Zadran, Beaten! Beauty from Bumrah! Hits the length hard, outside off, 136 kph. Ibrahim Zadran stays put and attempts to punch it off the back foot, but the ball seams away off the pitch to beat his outside edge.Score 18/1
BatsmanSediqullah Atal 2(6b 0*4 0*6)
BowlerArshdeep Singh 1-0-7-0
19:46 IST:
1.6: Arshdeep Singh to Sediqullah Atal, FOUR LEG BYES! Straighter on a length, on the pads. Atal looks to whip it away, but misses and the ball clips his front pad before racing to the deep fine leg fence.19:45 IST:
1.5: Arshdeep Singh to Sediqullah Atal, In the air... but lands safely! Just for a second, Bumrah looked like he was in the game. Full and swinging away, on off. Atal tries to loft it over covers, but the ball gets sliced up in the air towards deep backward point. Several fielders converge and it is Bumrah, running to his left from deep third, who collects the ball on a couple of bounces. Two runs taken.19:44 IST:
1.4: Arshdeep Singh to Ibrahim Zadran, Full-ish, around middle and off, Zadran checks his drive to mid off and they amble through for a quick single. Good coordination between the two batters.19:44 IST:
1.3: Arshdeep Singh to Ibrahim Zadran, Swings from leg to middle, short in length. Ibrahim Zadran watchfully blocks it down the pitch. 19:43 IST:
1.2: Arshdeep Singh to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR! Gorgeous stroke and the skipper is off the mark! Slightly overpitched by Arshdeep, full and around off, Ibrahim Zadran takes a good stride out and absolutely creams it to the right of mid off for a boundary.19:42 IST:
1.1: Arshdeep Singh to Ibrahim Zadran, A gentle inswinger, on a length, on middle. Zadran prods forward and presents the full face of the bat. Drives it straight down the ground to mid off's left. Arshdeep is on the money.19:43 IST:
Arshdeep Singh will share the attack. Over in Dubai, India and Sri Lanka will be locking horns tonight in the Women's Asia Cup final. The flip of the coin has landed in favour of Harmanpreet Kaur, who has opted to bat first.Score 7/1
BatsmanSediqullah Atal 0(4b 0*4 0*6)
BowlerJasprit Bumrah 1-0-7-1
19:41 IST:
0.6: Jasprit Bumrah to Sediqullah Atal, At 129 kph, good length, slanted across the batter. Sediqullah is happy to let it go. Afghanistan are 7/1 after a long-ish first over.19:41 IST:
0.6: Jasprit Bumrah to Sediqullah Atal, WIDE! Off the radar again, down leg, on a length. Atal tries to nudge it to the leg side, only to miss.19:40 IST:
0.5: Jasprit Bumrah to Sediqullah Atal, Swing and a miss! Samson appeals for caught behind, but Bumrah turns around and walks back to his bowling mark. Denied by the umpire as well. Short of a length and it shapes away late from the batter. Sediqullah Atal shapes to pull it across, but the ball zips past his angled bat. Samson moves a bit to his left to collect it.19:39 IST:
0.5: Jasprit Bumrah to Sediqullah Atal, WIDE! Too straight and down the leg stump line, full in length. Atal misses the flick and Samson does extremely well to dive and grab it to his right.19:39 IST:
0.4: Jasprit Bumrah to Sediqullah Atal, Back of a length, around off, Atal hangs back and bunts it down the pitch.19:39 IST:
0.3: Jasprit Bumrah to Sediqullah Atal, Going away from the left-hander, on a length, Atal lets it be.19:39 IST:
Jasprit Bumrah strikes early. Sediqullah Atal is in at number 3.19:39 IST:
0.2: Jasprit Bumrah to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, OUT! CAUGHT BY ABHISHEK! A sizzler from Bumrah and India have drawn first blood already. Hard length on off, and shaping a touch back into the batter with a bit of a lift as well. Gurbaz hangs back and perhaps looks to guide it through short third, but the ball gets big on him and he ends up offering a low catch to Abhishek Sharma at first slip. Sharma bends low to his right and scoops it up nicely above his shoelaces. However, the on-field umpires have sent it upstairs for a review to check for the legality of the catch. But Abhishek Sharma is claiming he has taken it cleanly. The replay confirms the same. Gurbaz is gone for a silver duck.19:43 IST:
Alan John says
Milestone for Bumrah
With the scalp of Gurbaz, Bumrah has now got 350 wickets in T20s. He joins Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal in the list of bowlers to reach the milestone.
19:39 IST:
Gone? Jasprit Bumrah checks with Abhishek Sharma, who is pretty confident. The umpires want to be certain. The third umpire is called into action. The first replay indicates that Abhishek has his fingers underneath the ball. After a couple more looks, the third umpire gives his verdict.19:35 IST:
0.1: Jasprit Bumrah to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, On the money now! Bangs the surface hard, at 135 kph, on top of off, slightly nipping in. Gurbaz camps back to punch it away, but the ball cuts it to take the inside edge and rolls off the back pad.19:35 IST:
0.1: Jasprit Bumrah to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FIVE WIDES! Not an ideal start after a long break for Bumrah. Massive inswinger on a good length, Rahmanullah Gurbaz misses the tickle, and the ball beats the diving Sanju Samson to his left and runs to the fence.19:35 IST:
We are all set to get going. The crowd has built up nicely, and it is nearly a full house. Naseeb Khan, the CEO of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, and Rohan Jaitley, President of the Delhi and District Cricket Association, ring the ceremonial bell to signify the start of play. Shreyas Iyer has gathered his troops for one final word before they take the field. Out walk the two Afghan openers, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Returning after an injury layoff, Jasprit Bumrah will kickstart proceedings with the new ball. Gurbaz to face the first ball. The countdown is done and dusted. Away we go...19:31 IST:
We are moments away from the first ball, but before that, it is time for the national anthems. The match officials lead the way, followed by Ibrahim Zadran and Shreyas Iyer, who lead their respective sides onto the park along with the mascots. First up will be India's national song, Vande Mataram, followed by the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. It is now time for Afghanistan's national anthem, Da watan Afghanistan day.19:20 IST:
PITCH REPORT - Former Indian off-spinner, Nikhil Chopra, is near the deck and says Delhi has traditionally offered a good sporting track. Teams generally prefer chasing here, with a bit of an advantage for the side batting second. He reckons this surface is hard underneath with a little bit of grass on it, which should allow the ball to slide onto the bat nicely. Sanjay Manjrekar joins him and says he has seen this ground evolve over the years. He credits the ground staff for making an effort to prepare a nice, hard surface and does not expect this to be a slow and low pitch. Chopra feels there will be some purchase for the spinners if they can get revs on the ball and advises them to bowl slower through the air. Nikhil mentions that Afghanistan need to make the Powerplay count and believes that if they can get 170-180 on this wicket, we could have a spectacle on our hands.19:16 IST:
India (Playing XI) - Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.19:16 IST:
Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi.19:20 IST:
The captain of Afghanistan - Ibrahim Zadran says that they would have elected to bowl first, but with the coin against them, they will aim to plan how to go about it with the bat. On hosting India in Delhi, he calls it a pleasure to do so, noting that his side is aiming for a strong series against a quality opponent. Turning to fan support, Zadran says Afghanistan have received plenty of backing from supporters in the past and urges fans to keep turning up, saying their energy makes a real difference to the players. On team news, he takes a bit of time to think, but confirms Naveen-ul-Haq misses out as he isn't yet match-ready. Adds that Noor ul Rahman and Abdollah Ahmadzai are also left out of the side.19:20 IST:
The captain of India - Shreyas Iyer says they have played quite a bit of cricket here, and after assessing the conditions, they have decided to bowl first. He describes the captaincy journey so far as a bit of a rollercoaster ride, but says the previous series against Zimbabwe had plenty of positives. On Jasprit Bumrah's return, Iyer says it is a luxury to have a player like him in the side, given his immense experience and the great attitude he brings when it comes to winning matches. Informs that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Washington Sundar miss out tonight, along with a couple more.