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India<\/strong> began their Afghanistan vs India in India 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating Afghanistan<\/strong> by seven wickets in the opening T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. After India won the toss and opted to bowl first, Afghanistan posted 156\/8 in their allotted 20 overs, but the hosts made light work of the target, reaching 157\/3 in just 13.4 overs.<\/p>\n The contest saw Afghanistan recover from a difficult start through a crucial partnership between Azmatullah Omarzai<\/strong> and Mohammad Nabi<\/strong>, while India\u2019s chase was dominated by an explosive innings from Abhishek Sharma<\/strong><\/a>. The left-hander smashed 82 off only 32 deliveries to ensure India secured victory with plenty of overs to spare.<\/p>\n Afghanistan endured a challenging beginning after being asked to bat first. Rahmanullah Gurbaz<\/strong> departed for a two-ball duck, while Ibrahim Zadran managed only 11 off 10 deliveries. Sediqullah Atal<\/strong> added 13 from 13 balls before Gulbadin Naib<\/strong> and Darwish Rasooli<\/strong> fell for two runs apiece, leaving Afghanistan in serious trouble during the early stages.<\/p>\n India\u2019s bowlers maintained the pressure with disciplined spells, with Arshdeep Singh<\/strong> emerging as the standout performer. The left-arm seamer claimed three wickets while conceding just 19 runs from his four overs. Jasprit Bumrah<\/strong> also kept things tight, returning figures of 1\/26, while Varun Chakaravarthy<\/strong> picked up 1\/16 in his four-over spell.<\/p>\n With Afghanistan struggling for momentum, Omarzai produced a superb counter-attacking knock to revive the innings. The all-rounder struck 64 runs from 44 deliveries, hitting four fours and four sixes to provide the foundation for a competitive total. Nabi complemented Omarzai brilliantly, scoring 33 off 27 balls with two fours and two sixes. Their efforts helped Afghanistan recover from a precarious position and push the total to 156\/8 after 20 overs.<\/p>\n Rashid Khan<\/strong> endured a rare struggle with the bat, managing only one run from 10 deliveries. Mujeeb Ur Rahman<\/strong> provided a late boost with an unbeaten nine off just three balls, including two boundaries, but Afghanistan ultimately finished with a target that India were able to chase down comfortably.<\/p>\n Also WATCH: AFG vs IND \u2013 Abhishek Sharma\u2019s fielding brilliance removes Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first T20I<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n India\u2019s response was aggressive from the outset, although Sanju Samson<\/strong> departed after scoring 10 off eight balls. Abhishek, however, immediately took control of the chase and produced one of the most destructive innings of the match.<\/p>\n Abhishek smashed 82 runs from just 32 deliveries, finding the boundary seven times and clearing it on seven occasions. His extraordinary strike rate put Afghanistan\u2019s bowlers under relentless pressure and rapidly shifted the momentum in India\u2019s favour.<\/p>\n Ishan Kishan<\/strong><\/a> provided valuable support at the other end, contributing 42 off 33 deliveries with five fours and a six. The pair ensured that India remained comfortably ahead of the required rate throughout the chase.<\/p>\n Afghanistan\u2019s bowling attack struggled to slow India\u2019s scoring rate. Nabi was the only bowler to make a significant impact, claiming two wickets for 28 runs from his three overs, while Omarzai picked up the other wicket. Fazalhaq Farooqi<\/strong> conceded 38 runs from his two overs, while Rashid finished with 34 runs from 3.4 overs without taking a wicket.\u00a0 India eventually reached 157\/3 in 13.4 overs, completing a seven-wicket victory with 38 balls remaining.<\/p>\n In home conditions, Team India is just too good for any team.<\/p>\n Afghanistan\u2019s batters have come a long way, but handling pressure when wickets are falling is an art and they need to become better artist of that.<\/p>\n \u2014 Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Abhishek Sharma is box office. You pay to watch him in white-ball cricket, and he delivers pure domination. \ud83d\ude0d<\/p>\n \u2014 Bhawana (@cricbhawana) September 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n A sensational win for India \ud83d\udcaa\ud83d\udc4f#AFGvsIND<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/56YC85sEtA<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n ABHISHEK SHARMA SMASHED 82 (32) IN A 157 RUN CHASE. \ud83e\udd2f<\/p>\n \u2013 One of the craziest batting shows by Abhi, he\u2019s simply unstoppable. \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf3 pic.twitter.com\/ZBJFV9l5Wi<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 22 BALL FIFTY BY ABHISHEK SHARMA. \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf3<\/p>\n \u2013 What a stupendous knock by Abhishek, he\u2019s thoroughly dominating T20s. \ud83d\udd25#AGFvIND<\/a> #TeamIndia<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/z2WAVa2GoQ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Bhadresh Prajapati (@bhadresh_33) September 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Aaya Sher \u2764\ufe0f\u200d\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udca5#AbhishekSharma<\/a> 82 (32) IN A 157 RUN CHASE. pic.twitter.com\/jPhVmrFbx5<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Vardhan Prabhas \u2122 (@VarDhanvd707) September 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Cricketer Abhishek Sharma is updated version of Virender Sehwag \ud83d\ude0e<\/p>\n ABHISHEK SHARMA \u2014 82 OFF 32 BALLS IN A 157-RUN CHASE! \ud83e\udd2f\ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n A breathtaking batting masterclass. The power, intent and clean hitting \u2014 Abhishek Sharma is in a league of his own! \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf3\ud83d\udca5#Abhisheksharma<\/a> #Ishankishan<\/a>\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/u5n2uWF4WO<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mrigendra Pratap Singh (@MrigendraSpeaks) September 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n ABHISHEK SHARMA \u2014 82 OFF 32 BALLS IN A 157-RUN CHASE! \ud83e\udd2f\ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n A breathtaking batting masterclass. The power, intent and clean hitting \u2014 Abhishek Sharma is in a league of his own! \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf3\ud83d\udca5#Abhisheksharma<\/a> #INDvsAFG<\/a> #T20Cricket<\/a> #AsiaCup2026<\/a> #Final<\/a> #INDvsSL<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/h1HdE6KaH2<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 SAHIL NAGPAL (@Pavilionpulse) September 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Abhishek Sharma with yet another 50 in Indian colors, above the strike rate of 200, and playing on the leg-side as well \ud83e\udd24\ud83e\udd24\ud83e\udd24<\/p>\n Off-Side & Leg-Side game look so good now for Abhishek Sharma \ud83e\udde1\ud83d\udd25#SRH<\/a> #IPL2027<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/NX8RmtbMO8<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Varun Velamakanti \ud83e\udd85 (@CricVarunSRH) September 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Abhishek Sharma \u0928\u0947 \u0905\u092b\u093c\u0917\u093c\u093e\u0928\u093f\u0938\u094d\u0924\u093e\u0928 \u0915\u094b \u0905\u0915\u0947\u0932\u0947 \u0930\u0947\u0932 \u0926\u093f\u092f\u093e <\/p>\n Afghanistan \u0915\u0947 \u0916\u093c\u093f\u0932\u093e\u092b\u093c \u0905\u092d\u093f\u0937\u0947\u0915 \u0936\u0930\u094d\u092e\u093e \u0928\u0947 \u0924\u0942\u092b\u093e\u0928\u0940 \u092a\u093e\u0930\u0940 \u0916\u0947\u0932\u0924\u0947 \u0939\u0941\u090f 32 \u0917\u0947\u0902\u0926 \u092e\u0947\u0902 82 \u0930\u0928 \u0920\u094b\u0915 \u0921\u093e\u0932\u0947 \u091c\u093f\u0938\u0928\u0947 7 \u091a\u094c\u0915\u0947 \u0914\u0930 7 \u091b\u0915\u094d\u0915\u0947 \u0932\u0917\u093e\u090f <\/p>\n \u0907\u0938 \u092a\u093e\u0930\u0940 \u0938\u0947 \u0905\u092d\u093f\u0937\u0947\u0915 \u0936\u0930\u094d\u092e\u093e \u0928\u0947 \u0905\u092a\u0928\u0947 \u0906\u0932\u094b\u091a\u0915\u094b\u0902 \u0915\u093e \u092e\u0941\u0902\u0939 \u092c\u0902\u0926 \u0915\u0930 \u0926\u093f\u092f\u093e \ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25 pic.twitter.com\/eeUmKXLRyB<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jyotsna yadav (jyoti) (@Jyotsna51400) September 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nAfghanistan recover after early setbacks<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi lead Afghanistan\u2019s fightback<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Abhishek Sharma turns chase into a one-sided contest<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Here\u2019s how fans reacted:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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