Afghanistan vs India, IND in AFG, 3 T20Is, 2026 Sep 15 Full score card

FOUR! A bit of a mishit, but that is enough to seal the deal. India win by 7 wickets and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in this three-match series. Serves the googly, does Rashid, and it is bowled from well behind the stumps, full and on off. Kishan presses forward and has a swing at it. The ball spins away, and Kishan ends up slicing it off the outer half. He clears the man at extra cover, and the ball trickles into the fence.

A bit of a chat between Rashid and Tilak as Afghanistan reviewed it for LBW. But it ends up in a hearty laugh from both.

Scores are now level! Tossed up, turning in, on middle. Varma lunges and reaches the pitch of the ball to flick it through mid-wicket. Half a shout for LBW from Rashid Khan, but it is turned down. The bat and the front leg seemed to be close to each other and Rashid feels that the ball hit the pad/toe first. Ibrahim Zadran takes a chance with the review. The third umpire does not even need UltraEdge, as the front-on replay shows that the front leg was away from the line of the ball, and the ball came right off the blade.

Lovely bowling! Rashid switches to around the wicket and dishes out the googly, around off. Varma stays back to a full ball. He looks to defend but is squared up by the turn and is beaten past the outside edge.

Short and wide on off. Kishan frees his arms and slaps it to backward point, where the fielder gets low to make the stop but he fumbles and concedes a single. Rashid is not happy one bit.

Full and on the pads. Tilak helps it wide of short fine leg and hurries to the other end.

FOUR! Power followed by finesse! Mujeeb drags the length back, around off. Ishan waits for it on the back foot and cuts it late to thread the gap between short third and backward point for a boundary.  17 runs off the over. India need 4 more runs.

SIX! Sensational hit from Ishan! Sliding into the batter, full in length, Kishan skips down the track and sails it cleanly over long on for a huge six.

FOUR! Finds the gap! Very full from Mujeeb on this occasion, on middle and leg. Ishan sits down on a knee and powerfully sweeps it to the left of deep square leg for a cracking boundary.

Slows it up, on a fullish length, at 91 kph, on off. Tilak knocks it to long on for a run.

Short and quick, at 103 kph and outside off, Ishan backs away and hammers it to long off for a single.

Off-break, a touch full on off, Tilak plays off the back foot and steers it to deep square leg for a single.

Takes pace off and deceives Ishan completely. Short and jagging in off the pitch. Kishan swings to pull but he is early on the shot and gets beaten on the inside edge. The ball strikes him around his ribs and he winces in a bit of pain.

Short of a length, on top of off. Tilak hops on the toes and tucks it to deep mid-wicket for an easy single.

WIDE! Reload! Digs in a slower bumper, but it nips down the leg stump. Varma gets inside the line but misses to connect the pull shot. The ball bounces behind to Gurbaz.

Nagging length, outside off, Varma hangs back and punches it to the fielder at cover.

At pace now, 133 kph, on a good length, on the leg stump. This is nudged off the back foot by Tilak and with soft hands, through mid-wicket. The fielder dashes in off the ropes and the batters pick up two quick runs. India need 25 runs to win!

Slower one again, into the pitch, on top of off. Ishan controls the pull shot along the ground towards deep backward square leg for one more.

Farooqi is now introduced into the attack! Starts off with a pace off length ball, on off, Tilak pulls it off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.

Bowls it full on the pads, Tilak lunges and clips it wide of deep mid-wicket for a single. India need just 27 runs from 48 balls.

FOUR! Skilfully played by Varma! Mujeeb shortens the length, around the off stump, Tilak Varma picks the googly, transfers his weight onto the back foot and cuts it marvellously through backward point for a boundary.

Beaten! Spins away very sharply, short and outside off. Tilak is hurried by the pace and is beaten on the cut shot.

Drags the length back, does Mujeeb, on off. Ishan tucks it across and down to long on for one more.

Pushed through, full on middle and leg, Tilak leans on and works it to long on for a single.

Flatter and fuller on the leg stump, sliding in. Ishan stands tall and clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Still no Fazalhaq Farooqi. Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes back. He went for 12 runs in his only over so far.

Spins in from around the stump, Ishan cuts the length ball wide of point for a single.

Short on the pads, tickled to the leg side for a single.

Tilak Varma is in at number 5.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Fantastic reflexes from the Afghan skipper and Rashid has three wickets to his name. He dishes out a full ball, on the off stump line and gets a good bit of purchase off the track. The ball also shoots low off the surface as Shreyas shapes up to play the late cut, but only manages a thick outside edge. The ball goes low to the right of Ibrahim Zadran at first slip. Ibrahim is a bit late to react to take the catch around his right shin, and almost shells the catch, with the ball threatening to bobble out of his hands, but dives to his left and takes it on the second attempt. India are 123/3, needing 37 runs from 56 balls.

Bowls it full and flat, on a length, Iyer knocks it hard to covers.

SIX! Glorious hit! Serves a friendly half-volley, around the off stump, does Rashid. Shreyas takes a step forward and effortlessly hoists it over deep extra cover for a six. Rashid, too, admires that shot from the Indian captain.

Floats it full and on middle, Iyer leans on and drives it inside out to short cover.

Drinks Break! No boundaries in the last couple of overs for India. It was non-stop action from the first over, though, with Samson and Abhishek taking the Afghan bowlers to the cleaners. But Rashid, with a double whammy, sending both Indian openers packing, has slowed things down a bit. However, the asking rate is just 4.3 as they need 43 runs from 60 balls and they have eight wickets in the tank. If Afghanistan are to turn this one around from here, they will have to mount a miraculous comeback with a string of wickets, as India bat very deep.

Good effort in the field! Fractionally short, on middle. Kishan uses his feet and whips it away towards long on. Mohammad Nabi is quick to his left and dives to prevent the boundary, saving a couple of runs for his side.

Googly now, on the shorter side, on middle. Shreyas waits back and nurdles it square on the leg side for another single.

Dropped short again, around leg. Kishan rocks back and pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Missed out! Dragged down, around leg. Kishan goes hard on the pull but gets it off the gloves and it rolls to short fine leg.

More air given, full and on off. Kishan hammers it back to the bowler. Noor makes a half-stop in his follow-through. It is parried to his left, where the mid-wicket fielder tidies up.

Looped up, on the pads. Iyer turns it to deep square leg for a single.

Serves the googly, not all that short to go on the back foot but Iyer does so. He just about gets his bat in line with the ball. Ekes out an inside edge behind square leg for a single. First over in this innings in which Afghanistan did not concede a boundary.

Just out of reach! On a good length, turning back, on middle. Kishan charges down the track but is not to the pitch of the ball. Chips it down the deck, where Rashid dives to his left and opts to go for the catch with his right hand rather than the left. The ball stays out of his reach and dribbles down to long on. They cross.

Nearly ran past the ball, did Kishan! At 97 kph, it is the googly, spinning away, outside off, on a nagging length. Kishan gives the bowler the premeditated charge. He does not get to the pitch of the ball and ends up padding it away.

Attacking the front pad at 97 kph, on a length. Iyer brings his bat out in front and eases it to long on for one more run.

On off, stays full, Kishan drives it to long off and turns the strike over.

Very full, on the off stump. Kishan drills it back to the bowler. Rashid feels the sting in his right palm after catching the ball.

Across off, on a good length. Iyer plays the late dab but can't get it past short third.

Dishes out a full ball, a googly at 93 kph. Ishan Kishan flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single as the fielder in the deep slides to his left and throws it back to the keeper. But Shreyas has already charged for the second run, and is sent back on a sharp call. He slips and the bat drops down as well but he is quick enough to skate in before the keeper whips the bails off.

SIX! Such a beautiful shot! Noor serves it under the bat and around the off stump. Ishan comes charges down the track and pumps it over the long on fence for an 80-meter six.

Dropped short, on the off stump, another wrong' un. Iyer rocks back and pulls it off the toe end, but the ball lands safely in front of deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slides the ball outside off through a googly, on a length. Iyer hangs back and slashes hard, but finds the backward point fielder en route.

Starts with a full ball, on the leg stump, Ishan works it through mid-wicket for a single. The 100 is up for India in 7.1 overs.

Quite an eventful over, this one.  17 runs and a couple of wickets. Skipper Shreyas Iyer is in at number 4, with India needing 61 runs from 78 balls. Noor Ahmad is introduced into the attack.

OUT! CAUGHT! End of the entertainment from Sanju Samson. Floated up by Rashid, on off. Samson presses forward and puts his head down. He swings through the line but the bat turns in his hand and he slices it towards long off, where Mohammad Nabi moves to his left and gets his body behind the ball. Nabi gets his hands high over his head and stays balanced on the fence to take the catch. Khan checks with Nabi, and the 'President' raises his finger to signal that his effort was clean. The umpires are happy with the effort and do not feel the need to send it upstairs. Samson trudges off to a standing ovation.

SIX! Just enough bat on it. This is dropped short by Khan, it is the googly, on middle. Samson goes on the back foot quickly for the pull. The deep mid-wicket fielder steadies himself just in front of the boundary cushions and gets his hands to take the catch but it clips his fingertips and drops beyond the fence.

FOUR! Off the edge, but that takes Sanju Samson to his 7th T20I FIFTY. This knock could not have come at a better time for him after a string of low scores. This is quicker through the air, on a length, on off. Samson pushes at the ball. Gets an outside edge that goes low and beats Gulbadin Naib at slip to his right and races away.

Tossed up, on middle. Kishan drives it down to long on for a single.

Rashid roars back in style. You hardly see him being taken to the cleaners. Ishan Kishan is in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Rashid Khan answers right back. Sediqullah Atal slams the ball into the turf in anger. The length is pulled back and it is quicker through the air, on middle and leg. Sharma goes on the back foot to unleash the pull but the ball spins back to cramp the left-hander for room and he is hurried as well. Gets it high on the bat and it goes straight down the throat of deep mid-wicket, where Atal makes no mistake.

SIX! That has gone back many a mile. Flighted up, turning back in, on middle and leg. Sharma skips down the track and reaches the pitch of the ball. He clubs it way over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

End of the Powerplay. 82 in the first match, and 82 again in the second T20I for India in the first six overs. But this time, India haven't lost a wicket and, more importantly, Samson is off to a blazing start this time around, nearly overshadowing Abhishek's own blitz. Rashid Khan is into the attack. Can he stop the flow of runs with a wicket?

SIX! All the way. Nabi switches to around the wicket and pushes it across the right-hander. This is dropped short as well. Samson uses the depth of the crease and dumps it beyond the long off fence for a maximum. 27 runs off the final over of the Powerplay. After 6 overs, India are 82/0.

FOUR! Easily done. Not the best of balls by Nabi, full and outside off. Samson extends his hands and gets under the ball to launch it over cover for a boundary. 21 runs off the over so far.

FOUR! Pumped down the ground. Just a bit short, on off. Samson picks up the length quickly and rocks on the back foot to slam it back over the bowler's head. The mid off fielder stands no chance. Sanju moves to 37 and according to the on-air commentators, this is now his highest score since the T20 World Cup final.

SIX! High and long enough. Noor Ahmad was in business for a moment there. Floated up, on the pads, Samson gets down on one knee and sweeps it aerially, looking to clear the deep square leg fence. Noor leaps on the fence and sticks out his right hand but the ball stays out of his reach.

Fuller now, on middle. Abhishek hits it in front of mid off and hurries to the other end. There is a direct hit at the bowling end but Sharma is well in.

SIX! Into the stands! Nabi darts it in on the shorter side, on middle and leg. Sharma waits for the ball to arrive on the back foot and dispatches it by standing tall. Clears the wide long on fence with ease, does Abhishek.

Sanju Samson has asked for a fresh pair of gloves. Mohammad Nabi to bowl the third over in a row and will wrap up the Powerplay.

FOUR! A weird kind of boundary. Omarzai lands it full on the stumps, Sanju stays leg side of the ball and smears it gun-barrel straight down the ground. It is hit so straight that the ball crashes into the stumps at the non-striker's end. Now, the ball deflects wide of mid on. Rashid, by the looks of it, moves to his left as an initial charge and finds the ball race away to his right. He still gives it a chase, but the ball wins the race. 20 runs from this over and India are flying high.

Short of a length, pitching outside leg. Sharma backs away to make room and punches it on the bounce and to the left of Rashid at mid off for a single.

Overpitched by Azmat, on off, Sanju carves it down the ground. The mid on fielder, Rashid, dives and makes a half-stop, and recovers by putting in a second dive to stop the ball. One run taken.

FOUR! Up and over. Omarzai under pressure. Full and outside the off stump. Sanju extends his arms and gloriously lifts it over cover-point for a gorgeous-looking boundary.

SIX! Easy pickings! Angled on the leg stump, short in length. Sanju just uses the pace and helps it behind to deep fine leg for a six.

FOUR! Straight as an arrow! Half-volley, at 139 kph, on middle. Sanju smashes it down the ground, beating mid on to his left for a boundary.

Leading edge, but falls safely! Nabi is not happy. Good length, 91 kph, and it grips and turns sharply away to finish outside off, catching Abhishek off guard. He pokes at it and mistimes it off the leading edge but gets away with it as the ball drops behind cover. The cover fielder, in fact, slipped while backtracking, and the cover-point fielder could not get to it either. Two runs taken.

Similar line and length and Abhishek once again finds Omarzai at cover.

Wide outside off and flat, Sharma punches the short ball to the fielder at cover.

SIX! The margin of error is so little against Abhishek. Drops it fractionally short, and slows it up as well, outside off. Abhishek transfers his weight onto the back foot and hammers it down the ground for a cracking six.

Outside off again, in-between length, Sharma cuts it to the cover-point fielder.

With mid off and mid on in the circle, Nabi lands it on a length, outside off. Sharma chops it to cover, where Omarzai makes a diving stop to his left.

Sanju Samson is receiving medical attention from the physio. Not quite sure what the issue is. Anyway, Samson is now ready to resume. Mohammad Nabi to continue...

Full and outside off, Samson drives it away but cannot pierce the gap at cover.

FOUR! That will make him feel a lot better! Short but slow and into the pads. Samson swivels and rolls his wrists to keep it along the ground and pulls it to deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Fuller with a little away shape, outside off. Samson crisply drives it off the front foot, but finds the fielder at cover.

Short at pace, on top of the leg stump. Abhishek controls the pull shot, hitting it along the ground to deep backward square leg for a single.

Slower delivery, short on the bodyline. Samson is deceived by the lack of pace and misses the pull off the back foot. The ball hits his body, and rolls to the leg side, behind square, and they dash through for a leg bye.

Omarzai is into the attack! Starts with a full delivery, 131 kph, outside off, Samson watchfully stabs it to the left of the bowler.

SIX! All the way! On a length, drifting in a touch. Abhishek Sharma picks the length in a trice and sends it flying over long on for a six. It was turning out to be a fine over from Nabi, but Abhishek spoils it.

Short and outside off, Abhishek does not move his feet at all and tries to smash it past point, but the ball spins away to beat his outside edge.

Back to over the stump. Full on the leg stump, 97 kph. Samson flicks it gently to the deep mid-wicket region for an easy single. A measured start from Sanju so far.

Comes from around the wicket to the left-hander. Drops it short on off, slightly holding on the surface. Abhishek punches it a bit uppishly, but into the cover gap for a single.

On the stumps and full, Samson runs it through mid on for a single.

Nabi starts with a full ball from over the stumps. It lands in front of off, and spins in. Sanju blocks it to the covers.

It will be spin from the other end as well. Here's Mohammad Nabi.

Serves it up there, full and around off, Sharma gets on the front foot and drives it firmly but finds the man at cover. 12 runs off the first over. India need 148 runs from 114 balls.

Outside off, on a length, Sanju punches it off the front foot to the point region. The fielder dives to his left and makes a half-stop, with the ball deflecting to the man at extra cover. One run taken.

WIDE! Spears it down the leg stump, 103 kph, on a length. Sanju lets it through and Gurbaz fails to pouch it behind the stumps, parrying the ball to his left.

In the air... but lands safely! Quicker one and it angles in. Sharma miscues the pull shot but luckily for him, the ball lands to the left of mid on for a single.

FOUR MORE! Thrashed away! A smidge short and around off, Abhishek prods forward and carts it through covers for a cracking boundary.

FOUR! No sighters needed at all. From around the stumps, this is flat and full with a bit of a curve away from the batter. Sharma stays compact in the crease and slices it over backward point for a boundary.

Off the mark right away! Mujeeb starts with a short ball that slides in. Samson rocks back and punches it to long on for a single to open his account.

SIX! Noor dents Reddy's figures a bit as Afghanistan finish at 159/8! On a back of a length, angled into the batter with pace taken off. Noor uses the depth of the crease and swings it cleanly behind the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen runs to finish it off. 11 runs in the last over. And Nitish's figures read 3/24 in 3 overs.

Attacks the leg stump, and slows the pace, 103 kph. Mujeeb Ur Rahman swipes the full ball to deep backward square leg for a single. This has been an exceptional final over from Nitish. Can he finish off well?

Slower short ball, on top of middle and leg. Mujeeb Ur Rahman swats it to the left of Ishan Kishan at deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

150 up for Afghanistan! Reddy digs it in short, on middle. Noor backs away and drags the pull to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Slower length-delivery, on the leg stump. Mujeeb backs away and steers it to the cover region for a single.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is in at number 9.

OUT! SPECTACULAR CATCH! Axar with a stunner and that's number three for Nitish. A slower delivery, full and outside off, and Rashid looks to hoick it away over the leg side. He can't middle it, and Axar, sprinting to his left from deep square leg, dives full-length to complete a smart catch. Good deception from Reddy, and remarkably, he has now struck with the first ball of each of his three overs today. India have been tidy in the field tonight. Afghanistan are 148/8, five balls left.

Time for the final over. Shivam Dube was entrusted with the 20th over the other night and went for 21 runs. Going by the way he has bowled tonight, it looks like Nitish Kumar Reddy will get the nod this time around. Yep, it is going to be Reddy.

WOW! Some heat on that one! Delivers a well-executed yorker, just outside off, Noor swings his blade hard to carve it out but his bat comes down after the ball has sneaked through. Bumrah ends with frugal figures of 4-1-25-1.

The new batter is Noor Ahmad.

OUT! CAUGHT BY THE CAPTAIN! Bumrah has the last laugh. He spears in a full-length delivery, around the off stump. Nabi stays leg side of the ball and tries to clear extra cover, but fails to get underneath the ball properly and ends up slicing it towards Shreyas Iyer. The captain at cover takes a straightforward catch to end Nabi's knock. Afghanistan are 148/7, with 7 legal balls left in the first innings.

Smell that leather, mate! Well-directed bouncer from Bumrah, angling on the leg stump. Mohammad Nabi shapes up to play the pull shot, but the excessive pace and bounce beats him all ends up.

So casually played by Rashid. Bumrah cannons in a yorker on middle and leg. Khan whips it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Slightly back of a length, at pace, 142 kph. Nabi waits deep inside the crease and smacks it to the left of long off for a single.

FOUR! Hammered away! Bumrah bowls it outside off, full in length, and takes all the pace off. Mohammad Nabi waits for this off-cutter to arrive, maintains his shape and lofts it over extra cover. One bounce and it goes into the fence.

Jasprit Bumrah to bowl the penultimate over. So it will be either Nitish Kumar Reddy or Shivam Dube for the final over.

SIX! PUNISHED! Juicy half-volley offered by Arshdeep, on off and middle. Rashid Khan comes dancing down the track and lofts it powerfully over deep extra cover for a six. He has made that shot look so easy. A massive over for the Afghans as 16 runs come off it.

FOUR! Expertly played! These are precious runs for Afghanistan. Arshdeep switches back to around the stump and misses his yorker again. It is the full toss speared in, and Rashid walks forward, takes it on the full before hammering it to the deep cover region. Beats the sweeper to his left for a boundary.

Trying to be adventurous there! Rashid shows his cards early by shuffling to the off side and, seeing that, Singh digs in a slower bouncer outside off. Rashid Khan looks to swing it over short fine leg, but the lack of pace does him in and he is beaten.

FOUR! Cleverly done! Angles in from outside off, on a length. Rashid stays put, opens the bat face deliberately at the point of contact and manages to pierce the narrow gap between short third and backward point for a boundary.

Oh, dear! That's a nasty delivery. Short and it absolutely cramps Rashid for room as the ball angles into the bodyline. He gets no time to sway away from the firing line. Takes his eyes off the ball by dropping his wrists, and the ball hits the handle of the bat before deflecting onto the helmet grill.

Around the stump, full toss on middle. Rashid Khan, with a cheeky little flick off the wrists, whips it to the left of deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

Arshdeep Singh (3-0-19-2) switches ends.

Pinpoint yorker from Bumrah, at the base of the middle stump. Rashid jams his bat down in time and opens the face to guide it behind for a single at deep third. 10 runs from Bumrah's third over.

FOUR! Thunderous shot! Back of a length, hammered hard into the pitch, outside off. Rashid jumps out of the crease, stays leg side and flays it over backward point for a cracking boundary.

Attempted yorker, on off, Khan clears the front leg to make room and smears it to the right of deep point for a couple of runs. Excellent running and coordination between these two.

Seemingly a slower delivery, on a length, outside off. Mohammad Nabi is a touch early into his pull shot and mistimes it to the left of deep square leg for a single.

Very full on the stumps, Nabi uses his bottom hand to carve it away, but hits it straight to mid off.

Lasers it full and on middle, 136 kph. Khan strokes it to the cover fielder. Shreyas sees Nabi out of the crease at the bowling end, and has a shy at that end, but misses the stumps. The ball rolls towards the leg side and this allows the batters to collect a run eventually.

WIDE! Digs in a slower bouncer, at 117 kph. It lands and keeps coming into the batter, but it is a bit too high, and Khan sways out of the line to leave.

Jasprit Bumrah comes back on. 2-0-9-0 so far for Bumrah.

Quicker now, at 102 kph, full outside off, Nabi looks to access the off side by again backing away but ends up chopping it to the point region. 11 runs from the over. 1/32 in 4 overs for Bishnoi tonight.

At 98 kph, short outside off, Nabi cuts it off the back foot to backward point.

SIX! Put away. Dropped short, and it is the googly on the leg stump. It arrives at a good height towards Nabi and he simply rocks back to pummel it over deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

FOUR! Streaky. Much-needed one for Afghanistan, no matter how they come. Very full and outside off, Mohammad Nabi shuffles to the leg side to make room and reaches out to carve it through the off side, but gets a fat outside edge and the ball shoots to the deep third fence.

Pitched fuller at 100 kph, on off, Khan drives it with a straight bat face to long off for a single.

Full, quick, outside off, Rashid leans to drive to the covers, but the ball gets squeezed off the inside edge and rolls past to the leg side. Oh, that was a googly.

Last 5 overs to go. Afghanistan are in a precarious position right now. They will have to get at least 160-170 on the board to put up a strong fight with the ball. Ravi Bishnoi returns to bowl out. 1/21 in 3 overs so far.

Dug in short, across off. Rashid drags the pull without much timing in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Full and across off, Nabi forces the drive wide of mid off, where Tilak Varma moves to his left and slides to cut it off. Just a single.

Buzzers! Bowled on a nagging length, on off. Nabi taps it wide of extra cover and hurries to the other end. Shreyas Iyer has a shy at the batting end but misses. That allows the batters to sneak in one more run on the overthrow.

On off, on a good length. Nabi punches it to cover.

Around off, on a good length. Rashid pushes at the ball. Gets it off the outer half down to deep third for one.

Out goes Rasooli, and in walks Rashid Khan at number 8.

OUT! CAUGHT! Arshdeep Singh strikes on his return to the attack. Darwish Rasooli's promising stay has been cut short. Angled in at the off stump from around the wicket, on a length. Rasooli tries to get under the ball to go back over the bowler's head. He gets it right off the toe end of the blade. Tilak Varma runs to his right from long off, and Axar Patel also converges from long on. Varma gets to the ball and takes the catch to his right by stretching his hands out.

Despite the wicket, 11 runs from that over. 24 runs from the last couple of overs for Afghanistan. Arshdeep Singh (2-0-14-1) is brought back into the attack, replacing Shivam Dube.

Good hustle between the wickets. Short and wide on off, Rasooli stands tall and powers it away past extra cover. Nitish Kumar Reddy is quick across the turf to his right at deep cover and he dives to push the ball away from the fence. He gets back up on his feet and tidies up. Three runs taken and with that, the 100 is up for Afghanistan.

Shorter and quicker, on off and middle. Rasooli taps it to cover.

On a length, on off. Nabi lunges across and eases it wide of cover for a single.

Half of the Afghan side is into the dressing room now. And this is a massive wicket for India, given how destructive Omarzai can be with the bat. Mohammad Nabi is the new batter in at number 7.

OUT! CAUGHT! Tilak Varma makes no mistake. Axar Patel finally gets his man. This is slowed down, a bit of air given, fuller and on middle and leg. Omarzai clears the front leg and has a swing at it but he does so early. There is a bit of grip and turn and the ball catches the toe end of the blade. As a result, Azmat only gets the height and not the distance. It is skied a long way up towards long on, where Tilak Varma settles under the skier and takes the catch close to his chest.

Flatter and sliding on with the arm, on middle and leg. Darwish presses back to whip it away. Gets it off the inner half in front of square on the leg side. They think about the second run but Axar hunts it down himself and keeps it down to a single.

SIX! Hammered! Another over started with a maximum by Darwish Rasooli. Flighted up, on middle, a bit too full. Rasooli puts his head down and presses forward to thump it over long on for a six.

FOUR! Straight as an arrow! Dube shifts his line closer to the off stump, on a length, it is the slower one. Omarzai swings through the line as he slams it back over the bowler's head. Neither long off nor long on stands a chance.

Stays away from the batter's arc, on a back of a length. Darwish spanks it wide of extra cover and sets off for a quick single. The extra cover fielder moves to his left but cannot pick the ball up cleanly, allowing the batters to get home easily.

Takes pace off, keeping it near the tramline, on the shorter side. Rasooli tries to cash in on the width but mistimes the shot to extra cover.

On off, on a short of a length. Azmat swats it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket, where Axar Patel collects it on the bounce. Just a single.

Keeping it away from the batter's arc, on a back of a length. Darwish slaps it to deep point and gets to the other end.

SIX! Sent into the crowd! Dube goes into the deck but this sits up to be hit at waist height, on off. Rasooli stands tall and unleashes the pull in front of square on the leg side. That has gone back many a mile.

Iyer turns towards his sixth bowling option now. Here's Shivam Dube into the attack. He replaces Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Shorter and on middle. Darwish whips it to deep mid-wicket and takes a single.

DROPPED! Azmatullah Omarzai gets a reprieve. The length is pushed up now, on off. Omarzai makes room to open up the off side but ends up hitting it a lot straighter down towards long off. Ravi Bishnoi comes charging in off the ropes and slides but the ball hits him high on the palm and drops to the ground. A single taken. How costly will this prove to be?

This stops a bit in the surface, on a nagging length, on middle, Omarzai tries to deal with it off the back foot but then checks his shot as he plays it back to Axar.

Tossed up, on middle. Omarzai makes room and crunches it straight to cover.

Fractionally short, on off. Rasooli makes room and cuts it to deep point. They cross.

A bit of grip and turn. Short and on off, bowled slower through the air. Rasooli hops back to punch it down the deck. Axar Patel dives to his left to make the stop.

Axar Patel (2-0-14-0) replaces Ravi Bishnoi.

In the channel, on a good length at 129 kph, Azmat punches it well but picks out the cover fielder.

Angled in, on middle, on a back of a length. Rasooli tucks it in front of deep mid-wicket and rotates the strike.

On off, on a short of a length, that is punched off the back foot to long on for a single.

FOUR! A shot of high quality. This is on a hard length, on off. Omarzai rises on his toes and rides the bounce. Presents a straight bat and with a high elbow, he punches it between cover and mid off. The mid off fielder gives chase but the ball skips across the turf and hugs the fence.

Reddy digs it in short, outside off. Azmat flashes at the ball but is beaten for pace.

51/1 has turned into 67/4 for Afghanistan. They are losing wickets one after another and once again look to Azmatullah Omarzai to bail them out, who is in at number 6.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! A well-judged catch by Sanju Samson. Nitish Kumar Reddy strikes with the first ball of the over for the second time in the game. Seam-up ball, skidding through, on a back of a length, on middle. Naib takes the risk of going across the line and pays the price. He clears the front leg and has a swipe at the ball. It is skied a long way up off a top edge. Sanju Samson calls for it and moves forward to settle under the swirling ball. He puts in a dive at the last moment to take the catch safely.

Nitish Kumar Reddy to continue. 1/7 in 1 over so far.

At 91 kph, now, on the pads. Naib steers the length ball to deep square leg for a single. At the halfway stage of the first innings, Afghanistan are 67/3.

Short on middle, at 101 kph. Gulbadin Naib uses the depth of the crease and whips it into the mid-wicket region. The fielder tears in from the ropes and by the time he throws it to the keeper, the batters scamper back for the second run.

Drags the length back, does Ravi, on off. Rasooli rocks back and punches it to the left of long on for a single.

FOUR! Off the mark in an edgy way! On a lower trajectory, quicker through the air. Short and outside off. Darwish Rasooli rocks back to cut it away, but gets an underedge and the ball rifles through short third for a boundary.

With the fall of Sediqullah Atal, the umpires have called for a DRINKS BREAK. The script from the first game is repeating itself for Afghanistan, with Atal and Ibrahim Zadran once again following each other back to the hut. With two set batters now back in the hut, it is back to rebuild mode for the Afghans. India have been disciplined with the ball so far and will be hoping to maintain control over the proceedings and not allow partnerships to develop. Darwish Rasooli joins Gulbadin Naib out in the middle.

OUT! STRAIGHT TO TILAK! Bishnoi has his arms aloft as he gets his first wicket. A googly now, and it is a length ball around the middle stump line. Atal goes back and tries to power it over the long off boundary, but gets it off the splice and doesn't time it well. Tilak, stationed at long off, settles underneath it and pouches the catch comfortably. A very scratchy knock from Atal, and Afghanistan have been reduced from 51/1 to 59/3.

Nervy single! The googly on a shorter length. Naib hangs back and knocks it to the cover region for a single, but they have to really hurry. The fielder moves quickly to his left, and Iyer releases a flat throw to the bowling end, but it looks like Naib has made it through. However, the umpires want to have a second look at it. The side-on replay shows that Naib's bat is grounded at the last minute when the bowler breaks the stumps.

On off on a length, Naib uses his wrists to steer it through mid-wicket for an easy single. 7 runs and a wicket from Reddy's first. India have managed to pull things back in the last few overs here.

On top of off, on a good length, Atal dinks it wide of mid-wicket with soft hands and they dash through for a quick run.

Nagging length, outside off, Naib steers it off the back foot to deep point for a single.

FOUR! Naib is off the mark! Short by Nitish, but at a gentle pace which gives Naib enough time to set up a good base before pulling it up and between deep mid-wicket and long on for a boundary.

Back of a length, around the off pole. Naib rides the bounce and taps it out to the off side.

Gulbadin Naib walks out to the middle.

OUT! TAKEN! Nitish strikes first ball. Didn't have the best of evenings in the first game, but he breaks the 51-run stand. On a good length and around the middle stump. Zadran goes for the flick on the leg side, but doesn't get enough timing behind it. Bishnoi, camped at deep mid-wicket, holds on to the catch. He's not one to spill those. It looked for a moment like he had taken a wrong first step and overran the ball, but he adjusted well enough to settle under it and complete the catch above his right shoulder. Ibrahim cannot convert his start, and Afghanistan are 51/2.

Nitish Kumar Reddy comes into the attack, replacing Axar Patel.

Brings the stumps to play on a fuller length, Ibrahim Zadran drills it to long on for an easy single. Much better over from Bishnoi this time. Just 5 runs from it. 10 runs from the last 2 overs for Afghanistan.

Straight and short, outside off, Ibrahim lets it be.

Very full now, on the stumps, Atal whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single. This brings up the 50-run partnership between Atal and Ibrahim. Good recovery by these two.

Serves it full but it is pitched outside leg, Atal sweeps it but finds the fielder at short fine leg.

Flat and full, on off, Zadran stays leg side and hammers it to long off for a single.

Dropped fuller and on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran goes low on his knee again and sweeps it off the inner half between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Outside off, on a good length, Zadran gets on the front foot and drives it wide of the cover fielder for a single.

Swing and a miss! Beautifully bowled. Axar cleverly slows it through the air, full and outside off, and it goes straight on with the arm. Ibrahim Zadran sits down on his knee and looks to slog it over the leg side, but the ball dips below his bat to beat his inside edge.

Quicker now, short on leg, Atal hangs back and runs it through mid on for a single.

Flighted delivery, full but down leg, Sediqullah Atal sits across to sweep but the ball deflects off his front pad and rolls to the right of the keeper.

In line of the stumps, short in length. Zadran makes room and strokes it down to long on for another single.

Stays a bit low, on middle and on a length, Zadran hangs back and heaves it wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

In the opening game, Afghanistan were 41/4 at the end of the Powerplay, so this is a better start compared to the other night. However, they will need to pick up the pace through the middle overs and make sure they build on this platform.

Dishes out the googly, smidge short and across the batter. Sediqullah Atal goes deep inside the crease and punches it tentatively to cover. Afghanistan end their Powerplay with 41/1 on the board.

Darted in on a shorter length, outside off, Sediqullah Atal shanks it on the bounce to mid off.

Onto the pads, sliding down from a length. Ibrahim has a swipe across the line but misses and the ball runs off the thigh pad to the right of short fine leg. They get a leg bye.

A touch short, on the leg stump, Atal hangs back and knocks it down to long on for a run.

Drifting on the pads, on a length, Ibrahim heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE! Slides down the leg side, short in length. Ibrahim leaves and Samson dives low to his left to collect it sharply.

FOUR! Runs continue to flow for the Afghans! Bishnoi starts with a length ball, on off. Ibrahim Zadran backs away and flays it over cover-point for a cracking boundary.

Afghanistan have scored 31 runs in the last 3 overs. There's a clear attempt to break free now. Ravi Bishnoi has been introduced into the attack and will wrap up the Powerplay. He replaces Arshdeep Singh.

FOUR! Streaky! Pushed through with a flatter trajectory, on middle. Atal attempts the pull but the ball is not all that short and it skids through to catch the underedge. It races past the short fine fielder for a four.

Tossed up, on middle. Zadran knocks it down to long off and turns the strike over.

Spears it in, fuller and on off. Zadran charges down the track and tries to whip it away but ekes out an inside edge onto the pads and the ball goes nowhere.

How did that miss the stumps? A bit of grip and turn for Axar, on a good length, on middle. Zadran has a heave across the line but it spins away a touch to beat the bat. The bounce takes it over the middle stump.

FOUR! Good manipulation of the field. Floated up, on off and middle. Zadran knows that square leg and fine leg are up inside the circle. Zadran walks inside the line and sinks to a knee to sweep it to the left of the short fine leg fielder for a boundary.

Darts the ball in on a good length, on the off stump. Ibrahim taps it to cover.

First look at spin. Here's Axar Patel, who replaces Jasprit Bumrah.

On a length, on off. Atal firms the drive all along the ground but straight to mid off.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Turning out to be an expensive over from Arshdeep, 13 runs off the over so far. Too straight by Singh, on the pads. Atal lets the ball come on and tickles it fine of the short fine leg fielder to pick up a boundary.

Does not carry! Keeps it near the tramline, on a back of a length. Zadran tries to repeat the dose but ends up hitting it square of the wicket this time. Hits it flat towards deep point, where Nitish Kumar Reddy realises that the ball is not going to carry to him and he opts to save the boundary. He collects the ball on a bounce. Just a single.

FOUR! Up and over! Arshdeep bowls the slower one and pushes it wider on off, on a short of a length. Zadran does not move his feet at all but reaches out with his hands, spanking it over cover for a boundary. After a slow start, Zadran is picking up the pace here.

FOUR! Nicely done. This is on the pads, on a nagging length. Zadran stays balanced at the crease and picks it up over short square leg. Not quite from the middle but the ball has enough legs to reach the fence, beating the chase of Ishan Kishan.

Floats it up, full and on off, it is the slower one. Zadran mistimes the drive to mid off.

Change? Nope. Arshdeep Singh to continue. 1/1 in his only over so far.

A ball of high quality by Bumrah. Rolls his fingers over the ball, bowled on a good length, landing outside the line of the leg stump and going across the left-hander. Atal presents a straight bat but is squared up and is beaten past the outside edge.

Spears in a yorker at the base of the off stump. Atal watchfully keeps it out by getting his bat down quickly.

Bowls the off-cutter, on a length, around off. Zadran looks to slam it back over the bowler's head. Miscues it off the inner half behind square leg as the ball skips across the turf. Ravi Bishnoi is quick to his left from deep fine leg and tumbles away to mop it up. He also gets rid of the ball quickly, keeping the batters down to a single.

Tailing on the leg stump, full now, Zadran strokes it down to mid on.

FOUR! Finds the gap! A bit of a sloppy effort from Dube there. Short of a length, sliding in on the leg stump line. Zadran stands tall and heaves it off the inner half of the bat. Gets it through mid-wicket and mid on and it is Dube from the latter position who gives it a chase, but makes a meal of it in the end. He slides to stop the ball, but ends up parrying it to the ropes instead.

FOUR! Just wide enough! Back of a length, angling onto the pads. Ibrahim Zadran whips it uppishly and to the right of Dube at mid on for a boundary.

Zadran is finally off the mark. On a length, around leg. Ibrahim swats it behind square leg and is off the mark on the 8th ball with a single.

A swing and a miss! Going away, on a good length. Zadran puts his head down and has a heave across the line but the ball leaves him to whistle past the blade.

Angled in at the hips, Atal fails to make any connection on the glance. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes off the thigh pad towards deep fine leg. Afghanistan finally open their account on the 10th ball.

Gurbaz is yet to get off the mark in this series. A two-ball duck in the first match, followed by a bronze duck now. He frustratingly trudges off. Sediqullah Atal is in at number 3 with Afghanistan still searching for their first run.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Rahmanullah Gurbaz tries to break free but perishes. A second successive duck in the series for Gurbaz. Arshdeep takes pace off and goes into the wicket, outside off. Rahmanullah backs away and has an ungainly swipe across the line. He does not pick the change of pace and ends up spooning it tamely to mid on with him also losing hold of his bat. Ravi Bishnoi takes a sitter at mid on.

This is pushed across the right-hander, on the fuller side, Gurbaz thinks about going after it but then leaves it alone. The ball sneaks well inside the tramline.

Oh, Gurbaz makes his intentions clear straight away. It does not come off, though. Shaping back into the right-hander, on a good length, on middle. Gurbaz dances down the track and has a big swing at it. Gets an inside edge and it dribbles to the left of the keeper.

On an excellent batting track, Bumrah starts off on the money - with a maiden. Arshdeep Singh will share the attack from the other end.

Bumrah finishes just as well! How rare is this? A maiden in the first over of a T20 game. Slips it in very full, on off. Zadran gets low and jams the bat down on the ball. Half a shout for a catch by Bumrah but he knew that it was a bump ball.

Five dots in a row! So far, so good from Bumrah. Delivers it on a good length, on off and middle. Zadran taps it back to the bowler with a straight bat.

So nearly took the off stump. Bumrah hurls the inswinger, very full, just outside the off stump. Zadran is late to get his bat down as he tries to squeeze it out. He is beaten on the inside edge. Sanju Samson dives to his left and collects it neatly.

Hits the hard length, angled in on off. Ibrahim is rushed as he pushes it hurriedly to cover. Three dots to start with.

Goes wide on the crease, does Bumrah and the length is dragged back as well. In and around the off pole. Zadran stands tall and stabs it down the deck with a straight bat.

Goes past the bat straight away! Bumrah serves a seam-up ball on a good length, moving away in the air, near the tramline. Zadran goes chasing after the ball and is beaten past the outside edge.

Righto, it's game time in New Delhi. The Indian team is huddled up near the ropes. Now, they spread out to take their positions. The bell has been rung by Mithun Manhas, the current BCCI President, to mark the commencement of the match. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran are the two Afghan openers who walk to the crease. Jasprit Bumrah has the new ball, and there is a slip in place, with Ibrahim taking the strike this time. Here we go...

Afghanistan's star all-rounder - Azmatullah Omarzai is up for a quick chat with the broadcaster. He says losing early wickets put them under pressure in the previous game. He and Mohammad Nabi then spoke about hanging in there, batting deep and staying till the end to provide the finish, but admits they did not finish well in the last 2-3 overs. Omarzai says they have done their homework ahead of the game about the right areas to bowl and will look to improve on that front. On Afghanistan's record of never having beaten India, Omarzai says they will try to change that tonight and give it 100 per cent. He adds that the focus will be on their processes and executing them well.

Unpacking the toss - Bowling first was the obvious call after winning the toss. India have brought in Ravi Bishnoi for an injured Varun Chakaravarthy, who looked in great rhythm in the opener. Sooryavanshi still has to wait for another game as Samson is given another go. For Afghanistan, it is slightly surprising that Naveen-ul-Haq still hasn't made it to the XI despite the noise around his absence.

PITCH REPORT - Murali Kartik is pitchside with his assessment. He mentions that winning the toss and chasing is the right call, and informs that surface number 4 will be used for this match, on which he details that the average first-inning score is 180. So he reckons that the team batting first should post at least more than 200, in this case, Afghanistan, to give themselves a good chance. Closely observes the surface and mentions it is pretty dry. Sanjay Manjrekar joins him and adds that it looks a bit damp, and it seems very similar to the surface that was used in the previous game. Kartik is quick to add that it is a bit drier as he runs his hands on the pitch with a few visible lines running across it. Sanjay agrees there's dampness in play, pointing to the spike marks. Still, he calls it a good surface overall, adding that the boundaries are shorter, with a couple of strips having been shifted for this game. India, he says, will be pleased with how the toss played out. For Afghanistan, the job now is simple, to get to a total tonight that actually gives them a game to fight for.

India (Playing XI) - Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi (In for Varun Chakaravarthy), Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh.

Afghanistan (Unchanged XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran (C), Sediqullah Atal, Gulbadin Naib, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.

The skipper of Afghanistan - Ibrahim Zadran says that they would have bowled first as well. Mentions the focus will now be on executing better with the bat this time around. Zadran says the talk has been about playing positive cricket. He admits they did not get off to a good start the other day, but feels they did well to recover in the middle overs. Informs that they are unchanged for this clash.

The captain of India - Shreyas Iyer says calling Tails at the toss has been lucky for him, irrespective of the result of the game. When he is asked whether bowling first carries a natural edge in the T20 format, Iyer breaks down the thinking behind it. Iyer explains that fielding first gives a side an early read on how the surface is behaving, and from there it's on the bowlers to adjust quickly once they have read the pace of the wicket. Get that read right, he adds, and it tips the balance in the fielding side's favour. Shreyas Iyer reflects on the previous game and is quick to point out that the margin of victory didn't quite tell the full story, and there was a stretch where the contest looked far tighter than the final numbers suggest. Iyer credits Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi for that, pointing to their crucial partnership as the reason the game briefly opened up. Turning to his own bowling unit, he flags the 10 to 15 over phase as an area to tighten up, feeling a few more wickets could have come in that middle stretch. On the changes, he informs that Varun Chakaravarthy has a side strain, so Ravi Bishnoi comes in his place.

TOSS - The coin is about to go up. Ibrahim Zadran and Shreyas Iyer are present in the middle. 'Tails' is the call from Iyer, and he gets it right. India opt to BOWL first.

Tuesday treat - It indeed is, with the amount of cricketing action lined up today. Over in Harare, Australia and Zimbabwe are in action in the first ODI, with the Chevrons facing an uphill battle in a chase of 295. Today also marks the start of the T20I series between England and Sri Lanka, with the first of 3 games scheduled to take place tonight in Southampton. The first ball is due at 5.30 pm GMT (11 pm IST), so there is plenty of cricket to keep us company through the day.

Need more with the bat - Afghanistan will be looking for a much better showing on the batting front. On a surface as good as the one we saw the other night, 156 was never going to be enough. Bumrah, Arshdeep and Axar combined for 5/72 from their 12 overs in the opening game, so the Afghans will know there is a stern challenge ahead against India's more established bowling options. But if they can take down any one of these 3, it could cause a headache for Iyer, with him already having to work around the absence of Hardik Pandya and now Varun Chakaravarthy as well.

Bowling puzzle - India were pretty tidy with the ball for most of the opener, but they have a couple of things to think about. With Hardik Pandya not around, they already had a gap to fill in the 5th bowling option, and with Varun Chakaravarthy also ruled out for the rest of the series after experiencing discomfort in his side during that opening game, they have another spot to fill. That could increase the role of the likes of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shivam Dube, while either Ravi Bishnoi or Washington Sundar could come in to replace Chakaravarthy. So, it will be interesting to see how Shreyas Iyer goes about managing his bowling resources.

Time for Round 2 - Well, round one was pretty one-sided, wasn't it? Afghanistan had the odd punch or two, but for the most part, India were firmly in control and made light work of the chase to take the lead in the series. Ibrahim Zadran and his men have a chance to take the series to a decider and, in doing so, finally get that elusive first win over India in international cricket. On that note, hello and a very warm welcome to our coverage.

... MATCH DAY ...

Sealing the series or sparking a comeback - The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi sets the stage once again as India and Afghanistan lock horns in the second match of the three-game T20 series. India enter Tuesday evening riding high on confidence after dismantling Afghanistan by seven wickets in the series opener, completing the chase with more than six overs to spare. For Shreyas Iyer and his side, victory here puts the series in the bag with a match remaining, reinforcing their white-ball rhythm before they head to Japan for the Asian Games. For Afghanistan, the designated hosts of this series despite playing on Indian turf, Tuesday is purely about survival. Falling 0-1 behind leaves them with no room for error, and they must quickly wipe away the memories of Sunday night to push the series into a deciding third fixture. The talent is undoubtedly there, but competing against a rampant Indian side requires a complete twenty-over performance rather than sporadic bursts of individual brilliance. The Abhishek hurricane - If there was one defining takeaway from the first game, it was the sheer destruction caused by Abhishek Sharma. Walking out to chase a modest 157, Abhishek made a mockery of the bowling attack by hammering 82 off just 32 deliveries, studded with seven boundaries and seven towering sixes. His ability to clear the infield with ease and take down world-class spin put the contest to bed inside the powerplay itself. Ishan Kishan played his part to perfection with an assured 42 off 33 balls, stitching together a 121-run partnership for the second wicket that completely shut the door on the opposition. Even though Sanju Samson fell cheaply for 10 after mistiming a pull, India's batting depth looked ominous. Middle-order batters like Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Shivam Dube barely broke a sweat in the middle, underlining the luxury of firepower at India's disposal. Top order tremors - Afghanistan's biggest headache heading into the second game remains their vulnerability at the top of the order. Sunday night was a harsh reminder of how quickly a contest can slip away when early wickets tumble. They slumped to 43 for 5 inside seven overs, partly through fiery Indian bowling and partly through self-inflicted wounds. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was removed on the second legal delivery of the match for a duck, while skipper Ibrahim Zadran was caught in a disastrous mix-up with Sediqullah Atal and run out for 11. It took a counter-attacking rescue effort from Azmatullah Omarzai and seasoned campaigner Mohammad Nabi to drag Afghanistan to a competitive 156 for 8. Omarzai was sublime, scoring an unbeaten 64 off 44 balls with four boundaries and four sixes, while Nabi provided crucial support with 33 off 27 deliveries in an 83-run stand. However, Afghanistan cannot afford to start from behind in every game. Their top-order batters must dig in during the opening overs to give their big hitters a solid platform. Pace punch and spin control - India's bowling department clicked seamlessly in the opening fixture. Jasprit Bumrah made an immediate statement on his return from an injury layoff, extracting sharp bounce to dismiss Gurbaz right away. Arshdeep Singh was the wrecker-in-chief, using his subtle variations and pinpoint yorkers to return exceptional figures of 3 for 19 in his four overs. Complementing the seamers, Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy kept a stranglehold through the middle overs, conceding under seven an over. On the other side, Afghanistan's bowling attack needs an urgent turnaround. Fazalhaq Farooqi leaked 38 runs in his two overs, while star spinner Rashid Khan endured a rare off day, conceding 34 runs in 3.4 overs without a breakthrough. Spin is traditionally Afghanistan's trump card, and if they are to level the series, Rashid, Noor Ahmad, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman must find a way to break partnerships and restrict India's aggressive strokeplay. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - IND - WWWWL | AFG - LWWLL. What to expect at the Arun Jaitley Stadium? The surface in Delhi has transformed into one of the highest scoring tracks in recent times, offering true bounce and small square boundaries that encourage attacking cricket. While seamers will get a bit of early movement under the floodlights with the new ball, batters can play through the line with confidence once they get their eye in. Dew is also likely to play a role later in the evening, making grip difficult for the bowlers and turning chasing into the preferred tactic for both captains at the toss. India hold the momentum and will look to wrap up the series with another authoritative display. Afghanistan have shown time and again that they can punch above their weight, but they need their established stars to rise to the occasion. If Gurbaz and Rashid can deliver their trademark magic, fans in Delhi could be in for a much tighter battle.