India vs Afghanistan, AFG in IND, 3 T20Is, 2024 Full score card

FOUR! THAT'S IT! Shivam Dube gets the job done for India! Naveen-ul-Haq bangs it in short, around the right shoulder of the batter, Shivam Dube stays deep in the crease and pulls it comfortably over short fine leg for a boundary. It almost went the distance but four is enough for India to win by 6 wickets and go 1-0 up in the series!

A slight delay in proceedings as the ball seems to be lost behind the sightscreen. They do get the ball eventually and we are good to continue.

SIX! BANG! Straight as an arrow! Naveen-ul-Haq comes from around the wicket and bowls it right in the arc of the southpaw, on a length, on middle, Shivam Dube clears his front leg and lets his long levers do the rest. Swings cleanly and smokes it towards the sightscreen for a maximum. Just 4 runs needed now!

Bangs it in short, around leg, Rinku Singh gets inside the line and pulls it down to fine leg for a single.

A bit too full, outside off, Rinku Singh leans on it and drives it crisply towards extra cover where the fielder makes a half-stop but the single was always on.

FIFTY FOR SHIVAM DUBE! First with the ball and now with the bat, it has been an impressive showing from Dube! Full and sliding on the pads, Shivam Dube rolls his wrists and clips it through square leg for a single to bring up his second T20I fifty.

In the channel on off, on a length, Shivam Dube gets lured into the drive and gets beaten on the outside edge. The replays in the next over show that there was a noise and a big outside edge on it. Very strange that no one including the keeper even went up for the appeal.

Fuller this time, around off, Rinku Singh pushes it to deep cover to rotate the strike.

FOUR! Clever, very clever! Good-length delivery with an upright seam, slanting across the batter, Rinku Singh lets the ball come to him and opens the bat face to use the pace. Steers it to the left of short third man for a boundary.

Angling across the left-hander, on a good length, on off, Shivam Dube stays leg side of the ball and knocks it to the left of long off for a single.

Fuller and into the pads, Shivam Dube flicks it from the crease to deep backward square leg for another single.

A fraction fuller and on the leg stump this time, Rinku Singh nudges it to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

Just short of a length around off at 113.1 clicks, Shivam Dube miscues his short-arm pull towards deep mid-wicket for another single.

Short of a length and on top of off, Rinku Singh pulls it along the ground towards deep square leg for a single.

Fuller this time and into the stumps, Shivam Dube knocks it to long off for a single.

FOUR! That's picked up to perfection. Afghanistan bowlers are missing their lines and it's proving to be costly. Naveen-ul-Haq drops the length short and around middle and off, Shivam Dube stands tall and heaves it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Back-of-the-hand slower delivery, on a back of a length again, around off, Shivam Dube waits on it and works it through square leg for a single. 10 runs off the over and India now need 28 runs off the last five overs!

Angling into the left-hander, on a back of a length, on middle, Rinku Singh turns this one away to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end

WIDE! Tries to surprise the batter by a bumper but this one sails over Rinku Singh's head for a wide.

At 131.4 clicks, on a short of a length, outside off, Rinku Singh picks up the length early and pulls it off the front foot through the vacant mid-wicket region. Naveen-ul-Haq at deep mid-wicket, runs and dives to his right. He relays the throw to the fielder to his right which is a bit wayward but the second run was always on.

Takes pace off does Farooqi and bowls it on a good length, on off, Shivam Dube picks the change of pace and dabs it with an open bat face to deep point for a single to rotate the strike.

FOUR! Absolutely crunched! Width on offer by Fazalhaq Farooqi, on a length and outside off, Shivam Dube uses his long levers to good effect as he frees his arms and drills it past extra cover for a boundary.

Comes back into the attack and starts off on a hard length, on off, Shivam Dube hangs back and stabs it into the off side.

FOUR! What a way to get off the mark. Mujeeb Ur Rahman pitches this just a fraction short and drifting down the leg stump. Rinku Singh moves across the line and flicks it past the diving short fine leg fielder for a boundary.

Rinku Singh is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Mujeeb Ur Rahman strikes on his return to the attack and Afghanistan cling on! Jitesh Sharma holes out! Drags his length back and bowls it on middle, Jitesh Sharma goes deep in his crease to muscle the pull away. He hits this one more straight than he would have liked and fails to get the elevation. Hits it flat and straight down the throat of Ibrahim Zadran at long on, who takes a few steps back and reverse cups it with ease.

Tossed up on the stumps this time, Jitesh Sharma blocks it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Tossed up fuller into the stumps, Jitesh Sharma does exceptionally well to sweep it on the full to deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Missed out on that one did Jitesh. Shorter delivery spinning into the right-hander a bit, took off the deck, Jitesh Sharma swipes across and tries to pull it over square leg but doesn't connect. The ball hits his shoulders and goes back to the right of the keeper.

Dropped it short and just outside off, Shivam Dube bangs it to long off for a single.

Fine stop! Takes pace off slightly and serves it on a hard length, on off, Jitesh Sharma shapes to work it across the line but gets an inside edge that goes on the bounce behind the wicket. Rahmanullah Gurbaz reacts quickly and dives away to his left to make the stop.

Continues to hit the deck hard and bowls it outside off, Shivam Dube works it wide of cover for a single.

Fuller in length, on off, Jitesh Sharma lunges and eases it down to wide long off for a single.

Good running! Back of a length, on middle, Jitesh Sharma lets the ball come to him and places it in front of square on the leg side for two runs more.

In the air...but safe! This is bowled full by Azmatullah Omarzai, on off and middle, Jitesh Sharma swings across the line and skies it high in the air towards deep square leg. The fielders in the deep converge but the balls right in between them. Two runs taken.

FOUR! Not the best of deliveries but the effort in the deep wasn't great either! A bit too straight, back of a length, sliding on the pads, Jitesh Sharma hangs back and whips it in the air towards deep square leg. Karim Janat runs around to his right and gets himself in a bit of a tangle. He looks to flick the ball away but the ball ricochets off his body and trickles into the fence.

At pace now, fuller in length, around off, Jitesh Sharma leans into the drive and hits it along the ground to deep point to retain the strike. 12 runs off the over and India now need 57 runs off 48 balls!

A horrible misjudgement! Karim Janat has made a complete meal of it! Pitches it on a good length outside off with absolutely no pace. Jitesh Sharma with no foot movement tries to whip it over covers but gets the bottom part of the bat. The ball flies up in the air to Karim Janat who came running in from deep point but misjudged the catch completely and eventually, he just watched it fall past his right leg. Janat then scampers back to save the boundary and the batters get two runs.

FOUR! Cut away nicely. Gulbadin Naib serves this one short and with width on offer outside off. Jitesh Sharma stands at the crease and cuts it with an angled bat well in front of point for a boundary.

Oh my, Jitesh Sharma missed out on that one. Pitched fuller outside off with no pace at all. Shivam Dube tries to get under the ball and hammer it through covers but miscues it back to the bowler.

Short of a length, on leg stump line, Shivam Dube hops and tucks it to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! That's asking to be hit. Gulbadin Naib starts off from over the wicket and serves a juicy low full-toss on off, Shivam Dube drives it with ease past mid off for a boundary.

FOUR! Sliced away with ease! Azmatullah Omarzai misses his mark as he bowls a juicy full toss, outside off, there to be put away, Jitesh Sharma obliges as he reaches out and opens the bat face to get it over the leaping backward point fielder for a boundary. It was shaping up to be a tidy over but the boundary off the last ball just ruins it!

Honing in at the stumps, on a length, Shivam Dube clips it neatly in front of square on the leg side to pick up a single.

At 129.8 clicks, on a hard length, on middle, a bit of extra bounce, Jitesh Sharma places this one in front of long on. He wants to return for the second but the fielder in the deep is quick to swoop in and keeps it to a single.

This is bowled on a good length, on middle, Jitesh Sharma hangs back and defends it right under his eyeline.

Fuller and around off, Shivam Dube leans on and drives it with a straight bat to long off for a single.

Back of a length, around leg, Shivam Dube tucks it off his hips towards short fine leg. A yes-no situation between the two batters for the single and in the end, they decide not to take the run.

Drinks break! With 76 runs needed from 60 balls, India have their noses in front at the halfway mark. Despite an inauspicious start to the run chase with the run out of Rohit Sharma, India have it under control at the halfway mark. They have enough depth in the batting department to get the job done here. On the other hand, Afghanistan started well with the ball but were not able to keep the runs in check. Wickets are the need of the hour for them if they are to stay in the hunt.

On a good length, into middle and off, Shivam Dube nudges it to mid on and gets to the other end.

Fuller this time into the stumps, Jitesh Sharma flicks it off his front foot behind square leg for a single.

Short of a length and way outside off, Jitesh Sharma advances down the track trying to cut it over point but gets beaten.

FOUR! That's a magnificent shot. Naveen-ul-Haq serves this short and bangs it hard into the deck angling into the right-hander. Jitesh Sharma waits back and pulls it over his shoulders towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Fuller this time, around leg again, Shivam Dube flicks it nicely past square leg for a single.

Starts from over the wicket and hurls it just short of a length, around leg, Shivam Dube pulls it along the ground to deep square leg. Karim Janat does well to cut off the ball and keep it down to just two.

Back of a length and over the stumps, Shivam Dube pushes it down to mid on off the back foot and gets across for one.

Hard length around the top of off stump, Jitesh Sharma blocks it off the back foot towards the gully region and gets across for a quick single.

Jitesh Sharma is the new man in for India. Can Afghanistan manage to get another quick wicket here and put the hosts under a bit of pressure?

OUT! TAKEN! What a ripper of a catch from Gulbadin Naib and the bowling change has done the trick for Afghanistan. Just a fraction shorter from Azmatullah Omarzai around the off stump. Tilak Varma looks to repeat the trick from the previous over as he swivels across and looks to pull it flat over long leg. Gulbadin Naib in the deep comes a bit too ahead and seems to have lost it in the light but does brilliantly to jump back and grab it out of thin air with both hands. Naib flexes his biceps to the crowd and Varma departs after a solid start.

FOUR! Should have been stopped but Tilak Varma timed it pretty well. Short of a length and outside off, Varma presses forward before rocking back and cutting it to the left of Naveen-ul-Haq at point. Naveen doesn't make much of an effort and the ball runs away to the fence.

Banged in short and over middle and leg, hurrying onto the batter, Shivam Dube manages to pull it down to mid on for a run.

Pitches it up first up on the stumps, Tilak Varma leans ahead and flicks it away towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Naveen-ul-Haq drops the length short and misses the line. Drifts around the leg stump line. Shivam Dube rocks back and pulls it comfortably from the crease to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Short of a length, angling into the left-hander. Tilak Varma walks down the pitch and cuts it square on the off side for a single.

Bangs in short and into the body, Shivam Dube stands tall and pulls it along the ground towards mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller this time around middle and off, Tilak Varma advances down the track and firms it to mid off for a risky single. Ibrahim Zadran with a clean pick-up and throw at the bowler's end but he missed and anyway, Varma seemed to be home.

SIX! What a shot that from Tilak Varma. Naveen-ul-Haq drops the length a touch short into the bodyline. Tilak Varma swivels across and short-arm pulls it over long leg for a biggie.

Comes from around the wicket and pitches short of a length, around off, Shivam Dube rocks back and taps it to mid on for a single.

Naveen-ul-Haq comes into the attack now, replacing Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

FOUR! The extra delivery has cost Mohammad Nabi and Afghanistan dearly. Nabi floats this one up around the off stump, Tilak Varma dances down the track and goes into-out lofting it over extra cover for a lovely boundary. 16 off that over, an expensive one from Nabi.

Fuller one around off, driven down to long off for an easy single.

On the stumps, flicked away through mid-wicket for a single and there's a fumble in the deep but they decide against the second run.

WIDE! Seemed a little harsh given the bowler's reaction. Tilak Varma moves around in the crease and goes past the leg stump. Mohammad Nabi cleverly fires it in just around the tramline outside off and Varma cannot reach it.

Full and outside off, Shivam Dube reaches out and hits it really hard to the left of deep point for a single.

WIDE! Quicker one, fired in down the leg side. Dube misses the flick and a wide is called.

SIX! Wow, that is massive! Mohammad Nabi tosses this one up right in the slot and angling into the hitting arc as well. Shivam Dube sits down and clears the front leg before flexing those muscles and smoking it well over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Floated up on a length around off and sliding on nicely, Tilak Varma hangs back and pats it away to deep cover-point for a single.

Top stuff! A maiden from Mujeeb Ur Rahman! Drops the length short and wider of off, Shivam Dube stands at the crease and extends the bat, knocking it to point.

Short and around off, Shivam Dube gets on top of the bounce and punches it to cover-point.

Quicker and into middle and off, Shivam Dube knocks it to cover.

Tossed up outside off, Shivam Dube drives it straight to cover.

Oh, great delivery! Pitched fuller and just away from the off stump, flicking it from the back of the hand, Shivam Dube prods to play straight but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Fuller and into the stumps, Shivam Dube nudges it to mid-wicket for no runs.

Ouch, an unnecessary overthrow from Fazalhaq Farooqi and India get five runs instead of just a single. This is floated up full on the pads, Shivam Dube flicks it to short fine leg and sets off for the single. Farooqi charges in and from close range fires in a rocket throw that goes past the keeper and through the infield on the other side for a boundary as well.

Fires this one in at 93.9 clicks and on the pads, Tilak Varma works it away 'round the corner and picks up a single.

Slightly shorter and around off, cut away off the back foot but straight to point.

Flights this one up and much slower through the air around off, Shivam Dube leans on nicely and strokes it down to long off for a single.

Pushed through quicker now and around off, Tilak Varma pushes it out on the off side for a quick run.

Starts from around the stumps and bowls it really slow at 80.6 clicks. This is very round arm and is sliding into the stumps. Tilak Varma makes room and cuts it to cover-point.

Dropped short and over the stumps, Shivam Dube goes back in the crease and nudges it to mid-wicket.

Shivam Dube comes out to the middle now. Can he back up his bowling performance with the bat?

OUT! STUMPED! Mujeeb Ur Rahman has the last laugh here and picks up a huge wicket for his side. A clever piece of bowling as Mujeeb just holds this one back a touch and slides it in past the leg stump. Shubman Gill charges down the track but is beaten in the flight completely and ends up running past the ball. Rahmanullah Gurbaz does well to collect the ball sharply to his left and whips off the bails before Gill can even turn back.

FOUR! Down the track and into the fence! Tossed up around off stump, Shubman Gill dances down the track and lofts it right back over the bowler's head for a crunching boundary.

Quicker one, on a length and sliding back into the stumps, Shubman Gill plays it to mid off.

FOUR! Beautiful timing yet again and Shubman Gill is on a rampage here. Bowls it really full and around off, Gill leans on and just opens the bat face a touch before creaming it away past the diving extra cover fielder for a boundary.

Another quick single as Tilak Varma pushes this one away in front of mid-wicket.

The throw goes off Gill's bat and he decides to take the extra run. Back of a length and around off, Shubman Gill comes forward and pushes it down to covers for a quick single. Gulbadin Naib dives in and under-arms the throw towards the bowler's end and the ball ricochets off the bat and rolls away for one more.

FOUR! Another brilliant piece of timing and Shubman Gill is on a roll on his home ground. Just a fraction shorter and around off, Gill walks down the pitch and makes a bit of room before slapping it away in front of cover-point for a boundary.

Switches back to over the wicket and bowls it full around off, angling it away, Shubman Gill looks to drive on the up but gets it off the inner half of the willow and the ball goes nowhere.

FOUR! Pulled away with disdain! Comes from around the stumps and digs it in a bit short over the stumps. Shubman Gill picks the length early and short-arm jabs it through square leg for a boundary.

Hard length around the top of off stump, Tilak Varma hangs back and cuts it away late wide of third man for a single.

Just drifting down leg! Steams in from over the wicket and hurls it on a fuller length at 140.3 clicks and on middle and leg. The ball slides back in quickly and Tilak Varma gets rapped on the pads as the ball rolls to the off side.

Floated up a bit and drifting into middle and leg, Tilak Varma leans on and flicks it away well in front of mid-wicket for a single.

Holds it back a touch and bowls it on the stumps, Tilak Varma blocks it out on the off side.

Flatter one on middle and off, sliding on, Tilak Varma stays leg side of the ball but fails to pierce the gap at covers.

Switches to over the wicket for the right-hander and bowls it on a length slanting it back into the stumps. Shubman Gill tucks it away through mid-wicket and rotates the strike.

Quicker and flatter outside the line of off stump, Tilak Varma stays back and pats it away towards cover for a single.

Starts from around the stumps and bowls it full outside off, Tilak Varma pushes it out on the off side.

It will be the spin of Mujeeb Ur Rahman from the other end. He is starting with a slip in place.

FOUR! Wow, what a shot and that marks the end of a dramatic first over, five runs and a wicket off it. Good length over middle, Shubman Gill walks forward and just strokes it on the up right back past the bowler for a lovely boundary.

Hard length around the top of off stump and this one doesn't swing back in. Shubman Gill is caught on the crease and gets an inside edge back onto the pads.

On a good length, shaping back in from middle and leg, Shubman Gill nudges it to the leg side.

Bowled on a good length and in the channel swinging away a bit, Tilak Varma hangs back and just nudges it past short third man for a single.

Tilak Varma walks in at number 3 for India.

OUT! RUN OUT! Oh, dear! Chaos in the middle and the skipper Rohit Sharma is devastated with that. Fazalhaq Farooqi serves it nice and full on the stumps, Sharma charges down the track and firms it to the right of mid off where Ibrahim Zadran makes an excellent diving stop. Sharma sets off for the single which seemed to be on but his partner Shubman Gill was ball watching. Rohit is at the other end but Gill is at the same end as well. Zadran picks up the ball and throws it back to the keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz who whips off the bails and it is a frustrating start for India. Sharma gives a piece of his mind to Gill while walking back as well.

Lovely delivery to begin with! Starts from over the wicket and serves it very full on middle, getting it to tail back in a bit and late too. Rohit Sharma stays watchful and keeps the front leg out of the way before blocking it away.

FOUR! Arshdeep Singh nails the yorker but somehow Najibullah Zadran has squeezed it to the fence and Afghanistan end on a high as they get 15 runs off the final over. This is bowled right at the toes, Zadran stays deep in the crease and looks to jam it out but the ball goes off the inside edge and beats fine leg to his left. Afghanistan finish with 158/5 on the board!

DROPPED AND FOUR! Excellent effort from Tilak Varma to get a hand on it but he ends up palming it into the ropes. Banged in very short and outside off, Najibullah Zadran makes a bit of room and looks to uppercut it over third man but ends up slicing it over backward point. Varma runs back from inside the ring and dives in over his shoulder getting both hands on it and the ball just pops out before going into the fence.

Full and wide again but in the slot, Karim Janat stays deep in the crease and thumps it down to long off for just a single. 150 now comes up for Afghanistan.

WIDE! A bit too full and wide this time and Karim Janat stays put as the umpire calls it a wide.

Karim Janat pre-meditates a bit and moves past the off stump. Arshdeep Singh follows him with a full and wide one that goes past the tramline. Janat looks to open the bat face and guide it away but misses.

Gets it full and right in and around the toes, Najibullah Zadran manages to get an inside edge off the pads down to fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Put away with ease and this is now Afghanistan's highest total against India in T20Is. Looks for the inswinging yorker from over the wicket but misses his mark and serves a full toss that angles down the leg side. Najibullah Zadran flicks it away fine enough and beats deep backward square leg for a boundary.

FOUR! Two in a row and that deserved to be put away! Drags the length a long way and angles it well across the right-hander. Karim Janat hangs back and reaches out before slapping away well in front of square on the off side for a boundary.

FOUR! Gets the crucial boundary away. Flatter one again from around the stumps and on the pads, Karim Janat gets a bit low and flicks it away over short fine leg for four runs.

Floats this one up full and around off stump, Karim Janat sits down for the big slog but miscues it completely back to the bowler.

Pushed through quicker onto the stumps, this is hit away down to long off for a single.

PUT DOWN! You can hardly call that one a chance but those do stick sometimes. Shortish length again around off, Najibullah Zadran rocks back and goes hard at it but miscues it flat and to the right of the bowler. Washington Sundar sticks out a right hand but fails to hold on.

FOUR! Boy, was that timed well! Short of a length bowled around middle and off, Najibullah Zadran rocks back and just firms it back past the left of the bowler. The ball goes dead straight and into the fence.

Karim Janat makes his way out to the centre. With a left-hander at the crease in the form of Najibullah, Rohit Sharma brings Washington Sundar (2-0-18-0) back into the attack.

OUT! CAUGHT! All the extra deliveries and Mukesh Kumar ends up with a big wicket, his second of the over. Keeps coming from over the wicket and digs it in a bit short and pushes it well outside the off stump. Mohammad Nabi has to really reach for it and ends up carving it off the outer half of the bat towards deep point. Rinku Singh misjudges it a bit in the loghts but does well to dive forward and take it with both hands. Nabi departs after a fiery knock.

Leg bye! Does well to escape out of the freebie there does Mukesh Kumar. Back to over the wicket and nails the yorker around the toes. Najibullah Zadran misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads to short fine leg and they get a leg bye.

NO BALL! The second one for the over and this time it will be a no ball instead of a wide. Comes from around the wicket and digs it in well short again this time outside off. Najibullah Zadran tries to uppercut it but misses out and a Free Hit will now follow.

WIDE! A well-directed bumper by Mukesh Kumar around the helmet but this one is just a bit too short and flies over the head instead. Called a wide.

Full and wide, hovering around the tramline at 137.8 clicks, Mohammad Nabi reaches out and the ball pings off his bat straight to deep point. Only a single.

Back of a length over middle and leg, Najibullah Zadran backs away a bit and plays it nicely off the back foot through cover-point for a single.

Dug in well short and over leg stump, coming it right around the shoulder, Najibullah Zadran hangs back and drops it down just behind point.

Najibullah Zadran is the new man in for Afghanistan.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! A bit unlucky for Azmatullah Omarzai but Mukesh Kumar will take it with both hands. Pitches this one full and wide outside off at 133.7 clicks and it is there to be put away. Omarzai doesn't quite move his feet and just tries to reach out with those long levers and cream it through covers but ends up getting a big inside edge. The ball chops back into the stumps and the bails come off. Omarzai departs after a good knock and India get a timely wicket.

In the blockhole again on middle and leg, Azmatullah Omarzai uses his wrists and plays a whippy shot to deep mid-wicket for just another single. A very tidy over from Arshdeep Singh.

Nice and full at the stumps, Mohammad Nabi whips it away toward deep mid-wicket and picks up a single. They think about two but rightly decide against it.

WIDE! Goes full and wide now and Mohammad Nabi tries to shuffle across and get some bat on it but the ball just goes beyond the tramline and the umpire signals a wide.

Very full and in the blockhole on leg stump, Azmatullah Omarzai jams it out well in front of mid-wicket and picks up a single to the deep.

Excellent change-up from Arshdeep Singh! Brings out the slower bumper and bowls it over off stump and gets the height correct as well. The ball angles away and Azmatullah Omarzai looks to play at it but he is beaten.

Very full, in fact, a low full toss around off stump, difficult to put away and Mohammad Nabi toe-ends it down to long on for a run.

Begins the new spell with a hard length delivery that is angled well across the right-hander. Mohammad Nabi tries to open up the off side and cut is away but is beaten by the pace and bounce.

Nails the yorker-length delivery outside off, Mohammad Nabi makes a bit of room and opens the bat face to squeeze it down to third man for a single.

Misses out there Mohammad Nabi! A juicy high full toss around off stump, Nabi hangs back in the crease and fails to get under it, hitting it straight to mid off.

SIX! Two in two for 'The President'! Mukesh Kumar drops the length short again with no pace angling into the right-hander. Mohammad Nabi covers the line and pulls it handsomely over deep mid-wicket for another six.

SIX! That's huge. Mukesh Kumar drops his length short and outside off. Mohammad Nabi waits for the ball and slaps it over extra cover for a biggie.

Tries to go for the yorker, but turned out to be a low full-toss on off. Azmatullah Omarzai flicks it on the full to long on for a single and the 50-run stand comes up between these two as well.

Comes from over the wicket and drops the length short, outside off, Mohammad Nabi tries to play it across the line but gets the toe end of the bat. The ball zips past the off stump and trickles down to the left of the keeper. The batters pinch a single.

Mukesh Kumar (2-0-14-0) has been brought back into the attack.

Just the single to end but 16 runs come off the over, a big one for Afghanistan. A touch fuller and pushed through outside off, Nabi gets an outside edge and plays it down to third man for a single.

Beaten! Pushed through quicker on a nagging length around off, Mohammad Nabi decides to stay put and hit through the line but is beaten past the outside edge.

FOUR MORE! Mohammad Nabi is toying with Ravi Bishnoi and the latter just hasn't found his length here. Short and outside off, Nabi goes past the leg stump and opens up the off side before cutting it wide of point for yet another boundary.

FOUR! Muscled away by Mohammad Nabi and the 100 is up for Afghanistan. Full and straight again, Nabi stays deep in the crease and holds his shape before swatting it away between long on and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Very full and fired in at the stumps, Azmatullah Omarzai takes the front leg out of the way and heaves it along the ground to long on for just a single this time.

SIX! BANG! Azmatullah Omarzai puts those long levers to excellent use now. Ravi Bishnoi tosses this one up a bit outside off and the ball slides back in, Omarzai gets down on one knee and gets under it well before slogging it away over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

Drops it shorter and slower, sliding back into the right-hander, Azmatullah Omarzai stays back and works it away behind square on the leg side for one.

Sliding in towards the right-hander, on a fuller length, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai pushes it with a straight bat to the left of Axar Patel.

Short of a length again, into middle and leg, Mohammad Nabi rocks back and nudges it with soft hand towards deep mid-wicket for another single.

Tossed up around the off stump line, Mohammad Nabi presses forward and gently taps it to the vacant infield on the on side for a couple of runs.

Similar length, into middle, Azmatullah Omarzai rocks back and clips it to deep square leg for a single.

A tad shorter angling into middle and leg, Mohammad Nabi nudges it to mid-wicket and gets a single.

Quicker and flatter, the wrong'un again around middle and leg, Nabi stays there and forces it down to long on for a single.

SIX! Up, up and away! 'The President' is in the house! Floated up right in the slot around off and middle, it is the googly that doesn't turn and Mohammad Nabi just gets under it before lifting it high and handsome over the long on fence for a biggie. Afghanistan need a few more of these now.

Bowled flatter and onto the pads, Azmatullah Omarzai tucks it away neatly behind square leg for an easy single.

Even more full this time and on middle and leg, Azmatullah Omarzai clears the front leg and uses the bottom hand to heave it away towards wide long on for a couple of runs.

Bowled fuller and this is the attempted wrong'un on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai leans on and plays it towards mid on.

On a nagging length and sliding on from around off, Mohammad Nabi uses the depth of his crease and dabs it away to short third man for a quick single.

FOUR! Stellar timing from Azmatullah Omarzai! Good-length delivery outside off, Omarzai stays leg side of the ball and just strokes it away through the cover region for a lovely boundary.

Back-of-a-length delivery outside off, Mohammad Nabi hangs back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Drops his length back around off, Mohammad Nabi stands tall and punches it to cover.

DROPPED! That was tough but Rohit Sharma almost got it. Fuller delivery, just around the off-stump line, Azmatullah Omarzai presses forward and tries to loft it over cover. Rohit Sharma leaps and manages to get his right hand to it but couldn't hold on as the batters pick up a run as well.

A fraction fuller this time and into the stumps, Mohammad Nabi takes his front foot out of the way and knocks it to long on for a single.

Hurls from over the wicket and bowls on the good length, around middle and off, Mohammad Nabi blocks it well to mid on.

Another googly, sliding into middle and leg, this is worked away through mid-wicket for an easy single.

The wrong'un, turning into the stumps, Mohammad Nabi presses back and pushes it back to the bowler.

Pushed through quicker and on a length around off, Azmatullah Omarzai eases it away through wide mid off and turns the strike over after the boundary.

FOUR! Hammered away! A rank half-volley outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai stays back and creams the drive in front of square on the off side for a boundary. Bishnoi's hands doen't seem quite warmed up yet.

Stays watchful does Mohammad Nabi and just strokes the juicy full toss around off stump down to long off for another single.

Starts off with a quick and short one at 97 clicks and well outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai stays back and slaps it away to deep cover for a single.

Drinks break! Afghanistan lose their third wicket right on the stroke of the drinks break and they are just 57/3 at the halfway mark. Arshdeep Singh started off brilliantly for India with the ball and the openers were kept quite for a bit but soon enough they started playing their shots. The spinners though have been able to strike and Axar Patel is doing a fine job. With Ravi Bishnoi yet to bowl and still quite a few overs of spin left, Afghanistan need something special to break the shackles and post a decent total on the board. Also, Mohammad Nabi walks out to bat next with Ravi Bishnoi coming into the attack for India.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Axar Patel strikes again! Rahmat Shah walks back without scoring much in his debut T20I inning! Continues from around the wicket and uses that angle to his advantage again. Fires it in, fractionally short and around off, Rahmat Shah is a bit late to decide whether to play this one off the back foot or the front foot. He opts to rock back but he is late in doing so. The ball skids off the deck and catches the under edge of his angled bat before going on to hit the off-stump.

Darted on a length and into off, Azmatullah Omarzai waits on and cuts it past point for one.

Flighted on middle and leg, Rahmat Shah rocks back and cuts it square on the off side for a single.

Tossed up on off, Azmatullah Omarzai works this with ease to long on for another single.

A touch slower this time, short and outside off, Rahmat Shah makes room and cuts it past point for a single.

Quicker in the air and darted in sharply from middle and off, Rahmat Shah gets in line and cuts it to point.

Half a shout for LBW but turned down again! Full and slanting in, on the pads, Rahmat Shah goes for the flick but plays all around it and gets rapped on the front pad. The umpire is unmoved as the ball lobs behind square on the off side for a leg bye.

This is bowled on a back of a length, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai pushes it wide of cover and opens his account with a single.

Length delivery, around off, Azmatullah Omarzai stays in the crease and dabs it towards point.

Rahmat Shah gets off the mark in T20I cricket! Dube serves it full and angling into the right-hander, on middle, Rahmat Shah gets behind the line and eases it towards long on for a single.

The T20I debutant, Rahmat Shah is in at number 4.

OUT! TAKEN! An inspired bowling change by Rohit Sharma as Shivam Dube strikes in his first over! Afghanistan lose both openers in quick succession! Not the best of deliveries by Dube, short and outside off, there to be put away, Ibrahim Zadran uses his feet and cannot get the shot away as he would have liked. Hits it flat and straight towards extra cover. Rohit Sharma takes a sharp catch as he reverse cups to his right, near his head. Having dropped Ibrahim Zadran earlier in the game, Shivam Dube has redeemed himself here!

Beats the bat straight away! Bowls it on a back of a length, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran stays leg side of the ball and fiddles at the delivery. A bit of away movement results in Ibrahim getting beaten on the outside edge.

Azmatullah Omarzai walks in at number 3. Also, Shivam Dube comes into the attack.

OUT! STUMPED! Axar Patel draws first blood for India! He gets his man after being hit for a maximum earlier in the over! Axar Patel pushes it through with the arm, short and around middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz premeditates as he dances down the track and swings blindly to launch a big shot back over the bowler's head. The ball slides on with the arm and beats him on the inside edge. The ball skids off the deck but Jitesh Sharma does well to gather it to his left and takes the bails quickly.

Quicker this time, shorter and outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz advances down the track and taps it to mid off.

SIX! That's a biggie. Axar Patel tosses this one up angling back into the right-hander. Rahmanullah Gurbaz makes full use of the pace and picks it up before sweeping it over backward square leg for a six.

Pitched fuller into the stumps, Rahmanullah Gurbaz drives it to mid off for no run.

Trying to get innovative but failed to make the connection. Axar Patel pitches this one short and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tries to switch hit over point but fails to connect.

Starts off on a short length, into middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz knocks it back to the bowler off the back foot.

Axar Patel (1-0-7-0) is back on. No sign of Ravi Bishnoi yet.

A bit too straight by Sundar again, short and turning into the pads, Ibrahim Zadran plays it with the turn and places it in front of Arshdeep Singh at deep square leg and completes the second run with ease.

Compensates by pulling his length back and bowls it short, on off, Ibrahim Zadran makes room and pushes it to extra cover.

SIX! Effortless! Ibrahim Zadran with the first maximum of this series! Washington Sundar errs in both line and length as he bowls it right in the slot, on the pads, Ibrahim Zadran does not miss out as he clears his front leg and whips it nonchalantly over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Quicker through the air and shorter, around leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets hurried but does well to pull it along the ground towards deep backward square leg for a single.

Pulls his length back slightly and bowls it on off, Ibrahim Zadran plants his foot forward and eases it to the right of extra cover for a run.

Lands it full, around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz shimmies down the track and swings across the line. Gets a leading edge that lobs well in front of deep point for a single.

FOUR! Guided it smartly. Mukesh Kumar drops his length short and bangs it into the deck, on off, Ibrahim Zadran stands tall and opens the face of the bat at the last moment guiding the ball over keeper for a boundary.

Fuller and outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz drives it to cover and sprints for the run. Rohit Sharma fails to collect the ball well which allows the batter to get the single with ease.

Just short of cover. Kumar drops the length short and bowls it at 134 clicks, around middle and off. Ibrahim Zadran tries to whip it on the on side but gets hurried on by the delivery. The ball hits the top edge of the bat and loops just short of an incoming Rohit Sharma at cover. The batters pinch a single.

Beaten. Just short of a length outside off, Ibrahim Zadran sets up for a big slog on the off side but gets beaten on the outside edge.

On a good length and just outside the line of off stump, Rahmanullah Gurbaz taps it to cover point for a single.

Steams from over the wicket and pitches it full into the stumps, Ibrahim Zadran digs it to mid off and gets to the other end.

Mukesh Kumar (1-0-6-0) comes back in to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

A bit of turn into the right-hander, short in length, Ibrahim Zadran moves leg side and punches it with a straight bat to long on for a single.

A loud shout for LBW but turned down! Hurls it in, full and sliding onto the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes for the clip but misses to get hit on the front pad. The umpire is unmoved and Rohit Sharma has a look towards the keeper before opting against the review. A wise decision not to go for the review as the ball was comfortably heading down leg.

Sees the batter make room but keeps it straight, short and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz cuts but without much timing to cover.

This is bowled quicker and fuller, at the stumps, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets down to slog sweep but gets an inside edge onto the thigh pad.

Fires it in at 102.4 clicks, a bit fuller and on off, Ibrahim Zadran hits it on the up towards extra cover. Rohit Sharma dives to his right and the ball goes through his hands for a single.

Starts off on a short length, on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz waits back in his crease and punches it to the left of mid-wicket for a single.

Spin from both ends now as the off-spinner, Washington Sundar comes into the attack.

At 100.6 clicks, pushed through by Axar, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran knocks it with a straight bat back to the bowler.

Pitched shorter and into middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran hangs back and whips it past mid-wicket. Rinku Singh runs across from deep square leg and cuts it off for just two runs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz slips while turning for the third man and they have to settle for a couple.

FOUR! Gets it through! Bowls it on a fullish length, just outside off, Ibrahim Zadran backs away and squeezes it out on the off side. Gets more than enough bat on it to clear the diving cover-point fielder to his left for a boundary.

Short again, coming in with the arm, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran slap it on the bounce to mid on.

Keeps it short, on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it from the crease towards cover.

Bowls it on a nagging length, around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz taps it in front of cover and gets to the other end.

Axar Patel comes in to bowl inside the Powerplay.

Takes pace off and bowls it on a back of a length, on middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz drops it with soft hands in front of mid-wicket for a quick single.

DROPPED! Shivam Dube puts it down despite doing all the hard work! Ibrahim Zadran gets an early life! Delivers it on a back of a length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran looks to get on the front foot and tries to launch this one down the ground. Gets a bit taken aback by the extra bounce on offer. Splices it off the upper half of the bat as the ball lobs towards mid off. Shivam Dube is a bit late to pick the ball and dives forward but the ball hits his palm and pops out. The batters also get a single.

At 138 clicks, on a good length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran accounts for the away movement and knocks it towards mid off.

Drop and run! Lands it on a good length, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz lets the ball come to him and plays it with soft hands beside the pitch on the off side for a quick single.

FOUR! Clever batting and it almost went the distance! Arshdeep Singh digs it in short, outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets this one at a good height and uses the angle to his advantage. Opens the bat face at the last moment and upper cuts it over short third man for a boundary.

Much straighter this time, on a back of a length, on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz hangs back in his crease and steers it along the ground towards backward point.

WIDE! Loses his radar does Arshdeep Singh as he slips it down leg, on a length, left alone by Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a wide.

Beaten! Serves it on a hard length, in the channel on off, a bit of shape into the batter, Ibrahim Zadran stays leg side of the ball and looks to force it through the off side but misses out.

Shortish delivery, around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz swivels in his crease and pulls it aerially but in front of fine leg to rotate the strike with a single.

FOUR! Not in complete control but Rahmanullah Gurbaz is off the mark with a boundary! Bowls it a bit too full, around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz stays in the crease and swings a bit too hard. Loses his shape but gets enough bat on it to get it through wide mid on for his first boundary.

Good-length delivery, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz dabs it from the crease towards cover. He wants a single but gets sent back by his partner.

Ibrahim Zadran and Afghanistan are underway with a quick single! Honing in at the stumps, on a length, Ibrahim Zadran looks to drive it on the up but the bat turns in his hand and he mistimes the drive towards mid on. They set off for a quick single and Ravi Bishnoi fails to pick it up cleanly, allowing Zadran to make his ground. A clean pick up would have made things interesting!

Begins on a good length, shaping into the batter, on off, Ibrahim Zadran gets on top of the bounce and punches it hard but straight to Axar Patel at backward point.

Mukesh Kumar to operate from the other end.

Arshdeep Singh starts with a maiden on his home ground! Nails the yorker, at the toes, Rahmanullah Gurbaz makes a bit of room and gets his bat down in time to squeeze it out to mid-wicket. End of a probing first over from Arshdeep!

Sees the batter back away and bangs it into the wicket, outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz moves leg side and drops his wrists to let the ball go through to the keeper.

This is bowled on a good length, around off, a bit of inward movement, Rahmanullah Gurbaz presses forward and defends it right under his eyeline towards cover.

Drags his length back and slants it across the batter with an upright seam, outside off, a bit of extra bounce, Rahmanullah Gurbaz is a bit tentative as he looks to push it through the off side and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Goes full in search of swing and gets the ball to tail back in, on middle and leg, at 130.6 clicks, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets his pads out of the way and clips it firmly but straight to mid-wicket.

Starts from over the wicket and bowls it on a back of a length, angling across the right-hander, outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz is happy to leave the ball alone.

Done and dusted with the pre-match formalities and it is now time to get the play underway! The umpires are out in the middle and so are the Indian players. Rahmat Shah is seen getting his maiden T20I cap having played over 100 ODI matches for Afghanistan. It will be the skipper, Ibrahim Zadran who will open the innings for Afghanistan alongside the dynamic Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Arshdeep Singh has the new ball in hand and is raring to get going on his home turf. Just a slight hold-up though as there is a small patch of blue led lights on the digital sightscreen right behind the bowler's arm which is bothering Gurbaz. That blue area has been tapped now and we are finally ready to get going. Let's play...

We are just a few minutes away from the start of the game but first, the two sets of players will walk out along with their mascots for the respective national anthems. It will be the national anthem of Afghanistan first, followed by the Indian national anthem.

The skipper of Afghanistan, Ibrahim Zadran says he would have liked to bowl first as well. States they will now try and execute the plans accordingly while batting first. He further says that it is a great opportunity to gather a lot of experience and set the momentum for the World Cup. Ends by informing that Noor Ahmad, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Saleem are among the ones missing out.

Rohit Sharma, the captain of India, says that they will chase and there's no particular reason and feels that the pitch will remain the same. Mentions that there is a lot to gain from this series as they don't have much international T20 cricket leading up to the World Cup and he wasn't part of the T20I side for the last year and he has been in contact with the coach as to what needs to be done but keeping everything in mind, winning is the most important thing. Informs that Sanju Samson, Avesh Khan, and Yashasvi Jaiswal who didn't hold up well, and Kuldeep Yadav are the ones who miss out.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmat Shah (On T20I debut), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

India (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar.

TOSS - The coin toss lands in the favour of Rohit Sharma and India have opted to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Deep Dasgupta is pitchside. He starts by saying that the dimensions are unique with long straight boundaries with the straight hit being 76 meters and the side boundaries being 65 meters and 67 meters. Nick Knight joins him and says that there is a nice tinge of green on it and there will be something in it early on for the quick bowlers and later on the spinners will flourish more. Adds that the Afghanistan spinners will be focusing more on the pace as they bowl quick and will be able to hurry the batters. Reckons that the team winning the toss should bat first as there won't be dew but Deep Dasgupta says that chasing is the way to go.

India, on the other hand, aims to capitalize on this series, using it as a crucial opportunity to fine-tune their combination for the upcoming World Cup, especially given the absence of any more T20Is before the tournament. The return of powerhouses Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli injects excitement and strengthens the batting lineup, even with a few key players sidelined due to injuries. Despite a slightly inexperienced bowling unit, India will be keen on setting the right foot forward, looking to assert the threat that their bowling lineup has been known for in recent times. The series becomes a pivotal platform for India to prepare and build momentum leading up to the T20 World Cup. Will India successfully check all the boxes they intend to and commence the series with a victory, or will Afghanistan present additional challenges for the hosts? Let's find out as Toss and team news come to you in a bit

Afghanistan come into this series with momentum from a successful campaign against UAE, where they demonstrated their collective strength and resilience. Under the leadership of Ibrahim Zadran, the squad appears robust on paper, ready to confront the hosts head-on. The return of Mujeeb Ur Rahman adds further strength to Afghanistan's already potent bowling unit, which features the likes of Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mohammad Nabi and Naveen-ul-Haq. This combination presents a formidable challenge for the hosts in this exciting series, showcasing Afghanistan's depth and variety in the bowling department.

Greetings and a warm welcome to the opening match of the 3-match T20I series between India and Afghanistan at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. Brace yourselves for a captivating contest as two formidable teams set the stage for an essential series, especially with the T20 World Cup looming on the horizon.

... MATCH DAY ...

The Men in Blue are back at home after a pretty successful tour of South Africa and they will now take on Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series the first of which will be played in Mohali. India have decided to go with a fairly strong side with an eye on the T20 World Cup later this year and with just a few international games left leading to the big event, the likes of skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to the fore. The latter however will miss the first game due to personal reasons. The batting line-up looks stacked with the likes of Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh and Sanju Samson in the team. Shreyas Iyer and KL aren't part of the side whereas Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya are out of action with fairly long-term injuries. The bowling line-up features the likes of Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav who have done well in recent times along with Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, Axar Patel and a few others. Afghanistan on the other hand will be led by the classy top-order batter Ibrahim Zadran and they have a formidable top order featuring the likes of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai. The likes of Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil and Azmatullah Omarzai make for a solid middle order as well. T20 specialist bowlers like Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and 'the President' Mohammad Nabi all make the team but the biggest loss is that of their superstar Rashid Khan who hasn't recovered from his injury and even though he travelled with the team, he won't take part in the series. Mohali is generally known for its good bounce and even carry, making it a batting paradise at times and should make for a very watchable contest. Can Afghanistan pull off a sensational win and take the lead in the series? Or will Rohit Sharma and co. start off in style? We shall find out.