1st T20I: Abhishek Top-scores With 82 As India Beat Afghanistan By Seven Wickets

India Win T20I Series Opener Against Afghanistan – Abhishek Sharma's Lightning 82 Puts On Display

New Delhi, 14 Sep: India kicked off the 3-match T20I series with a dominant 7-wicket win over Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, thanks to Abhishek Sharma's explosive 82 off just 32 balls.

The Chase

Setting Afghanistan out to 157, India's bowlers kept it tidy, restricting the hosts to 156/8 in their 20 overs. Azmatullah Omarzai (64*) fought hard, but Arshdeep Singh (3/9) was the standout, with Varun Chakaravarthy chipping in 1/6.

Answering the query, India went cruise control from the top. Abhishek took the Powerplay and flattened Afghanistan's attack, racking up 82 runs in the first 5 overs alone. He and Ishan Kishan (42 off 33) shared a crushing 121-run stand for the 2nd wicket, ensuring India crossed the line with 38 balls to spare — 157/3 in 13.4 overs.

Abhishek's Innings

A clinical strike rate of ~257, Abhishek got off the mark with an inside-out loft off Mujeeb, then tore into Farooqi for 26 runs off the 5th over. He brought up his 12th T20I fifty off 22 balls, and finished strong before slogsweeping Nabi for a six, only to hole out to long-on shortly after.

My Take (as a sports med pro)

From a physical standpoint, Abhishek's ability to generate that kind of power off 32 balls — heavy pulling, lofts, and slogsweeping — puts enormous load on the lower back and wrists. Players pulling skiddy length balls repeatedly are at risk of lumbar strain. Worth monitoring recovery in the next match, especially with a 3-match series ahead.

Brief Scores

- Afghanistan: 156/8 (20 ov) — Omarzai 64*, Nabi 33; Arshdeep 3/9, Chakravarthy 1/6

- India: 157/3 (13.4 ov) — Abhishek Sharma 82, Kishan 42; Nabi 2/8, Omarzai 1/4

India lead the series 1-0.

Source: IANS

Source: Cricketnmore