The India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I 2026 turned out to be a one-sided contest. India chased down a target of 157 in just 13.4 overs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on September 13, 2026. Abhishek Sharma led the chase with a blistering 82 off 32 balls, and Afghanistan never got close to defending their total. India now lead the three-match T20I series 1-0.
India beat Afghanistan by 8 wickets in the 1st T20I 2026, chasing 157 in 13.4 overs. Abhishek Sharma smashed 82 off 32 balls. Jasprit Bumrah struck early with the ball, and Ishan Kishan added 42 in a 121-run stand with Abhishek. The series continues with the 2nd T20I on September 15 in Delhi.
How Afghanistan’s Innings Fell Apart
Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first. Jasprit Bumrah, playing his first match back from injury, dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz with just the second ball of the match. That early blow set the tone for the innings.
Afghanistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals after that. Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel picked up key wickets in the middle overs and never let the batters settle. Azmatullah Omarzai top-scored for Afghanistan with a fighting half-century, and he made sure the total crossed 150.
India struggled to complete their fifth bowler’s quota, a problem that has followed the team for a while now. Shivam Dube bowled his first over only in the 20th over of the innings, and Omarzai punished him for 21 runs. Even with that late flurry, Afghanistan closed at 156 for 8, a total that looked light given the batting conditions in Delhi.
Abhishek Sharma Takes the Chase Away From Afghanistan
India’s reply started fast and never slowed down. The team scored 12 runs off the very first over, and Abhishek Sharma set the tone from ball one.
Sanju Samson fell early to Omarzai, but that was the only real setback India faced. Abhishek Sharma took over from there. He hit sixes to almost every part of the ground, going over cover off Fazalhaq Farooqi, then straighter down the ground off Omarzai. He kept going over midwicket, square leg, long-on, and cover again before he was done.
By the time he got out, Abhishek had scored 82 runs off just 32 balls. Rashid Khan bowled well and took two excellent catches near the boundary, but he could not find a wicket himself. Ishan Kishan played the steadier role in a 121-run second-wicket partnership, though Abhishek clearly dominated the strike. Kishan made 42 off 33 balls before falling while trying to hit another six.
With the platform already set, India cruised home in 13.4 overs. The eight-wicket win gives them a strong 1-0 lead in the series.
Key Performances From the Match
- Abhishek Sharma: 82 off 32 balls, the standout innings of the match and the main reason India won so comfortably.
- Azmatullah Omarzai: Half-century with the bat for Afghanistan, plus an expensive final over that showed India’s bowling gap at the death.
- Jasprit Bumrah: Struck in his very first over back from injury, dismissing Gurbaz early.
- Ishan Kishan: A composed 42 that kept the scoreboard moving while Abhishek attacked.
- Rashid Khan: Went wicketless but took two sharp catches, the only real positive for Afghanistan in the field.
What This Means for the Series
This was the first-ever “home” T20I for Afghanistan against India, and the result will sting. India now hold a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second T20I is set for September 15 in Delhi, followed by the third on September 17, also in Delhi.
Afghanistan’s team management admitted the batting total was short of what they wanted. The bowling attack, led by Rashid Khan, will need a much stronger start with the bat if they want to level the series.
For India, the return of Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy from injury is a big positive heading into the rest of the series. Both bowlers looked sharp and should give the team more balance in the coming matches.
FAQ
Q1: What was the result of the India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I 2026?
India won by 8 wickets, chasing down Afghanistan’s target of 157 in 13.4 overs.
Q2: Who was the top scorer in the India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I 2026?
Abhishek Sharma top-scored with 82 off 32 balls for India. Azmatullah Omarzai top-scored for Afghanistan with a half-century.
Q3: Where was the India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I 2026 played?
The match was played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on September 13, 2026.
Q4: When is the next India vs Afghanistan T20I?
The 2nd T20I is scheduled for September 15, 2026, in Delhi, followed by the 3rd T20I on September 17 in Delhi.
Q5: What is the current score in the India vs Afghanistan T20I series?
India lead the three-match T20I series 1-0 after the first match.
