Series Clean Sweep
India aims to complete a series clean sweep against Afghanistan in the final T20I.
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Key Points
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India’s opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma added 88 runs in the second T20I, laying the foundation for the successful chase.
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Ishan Kishan contributed a rapid 38 off 23 balls, while Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 15 as India reached the target in 14.5 overs.
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Jasprit Bumrah opened Afghanistan’s innings with a maiden over, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a second successive duck in the series after edging Arshdeep Singh to Ravi Bishnoi.
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India’s second-match victory secured the series before the finale, with the third T20I offering the hosts an opportunity to complete a clean sweep in what was described as the final bilateral T20I series between the teams.
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In the second T20I, Afghanistan made no changes to its XI, while captain Ibrahim Zadran said the team had also preferred to bowl first and aimed to play more positively after a poor start in the opening match.
India holds an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan after a dominant seven-wicket victory in the second match. Times of India reported that India chased down Afghanistan's 159/8 in just 14.5 overs, with Sanju Samson smashing 57 off 22 balls and Abhishek Sharma contributing 39 off 19 balls. The third and final T20I takes place in New Delhi on September 17, where Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran won the toss and elected to field first.
India made one change to its playing XI, bringing in pacer Yash Thakur for Arshdeep Singh after leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy was ruled out with a left-side strain. ANI News confirmed that Ravi Bishnoi replaced Chakravarthy in the second match, helping India secure the series before the dead-rubber finale. This series marks the final bilateral T20I engagement between the two nations before both teams head to Japan for the Asian Games.
Samson and Abhishek Spark India's Chase
India's opening pair laid waste to Afghanistan's bowling attack in the second T20I. Hindustan Times noted that Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma combined for an 88-run stand in 6.2 overs, setting the platform for India's clinical chase. Samson's 57 off 22 balls marked his highest international score since the T20 World Cup, with the opening pair's aggressive intent leaving Afghanistan's bowlers helpless.
Ishan Kishan continued the onslaught with a rapid 38 off 23 balls, while Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 15 to guide India across the line. News18 highlighted that India's middle order ensured no late hiccups, completing the chase in 14.5 overs with seven wickets intact and establishing a pattern of aggressive batting that will serve them well at the Asian Games.
Afghanistan's Batting Woes Continue to Mount
Afghanistan's inability to post a commanding total cost them dearly in the second match. Sportskeeda reported that the team managed just 159/8 despite winning the toss and choosing to bat. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz recorded a duck for the second successive game after edging Arshdeep Singh to Ravi Bishnoi, continuing a troubling streak that undermined Afghanistan's setup.
Ibrahim Zadran acknowledged the need to play more positively after Afghanistan's poor start in the opening match. The Hindu Sportstar noted that despite preferring to bowl first in the third match, Afghanistan must find solutions to India's early-over seam attack and aggressive top-order batting if they hope to avoid a series whitewash.
Chakravarthy's Injury Raises Questions About BCCI Fitness Protocols
Varun Chakravarthy's sudden withdrawal from the series has intensified scrutiny on India's injury management systems. The leg-spinner suffered a left-side strain after just one match, despite passing fitness assessments at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Business Standard highlighted that this marks another injury setback for India's Asian Games squad, following earlier withdrawals of pacer Harshit Rana and concerns over all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Uncapped Delhi Capitals spinner Vipraj Nigam has been named as Chakravarthy's replacement for the Asian Games in Japan. India captain Shreyas Iyer emphasized the importance of giving bench players match practice before the tournament, balancing squad depth with injury recovery concerns ahead of India's quest to defend its gold medal.
Series Serves as Final Preparation Before Asian Games
This three-match series represents India's last bilateral T20I opportunity before departing for Japan on September 18. Press Trust of India confirmed that India will play a historic one-off T20I against Japan on September 22, followed by the Asian Games quarter-finals on September 28. The series allows India to fine-tune its squad composition and test emerging talent like 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of the regional tournament.
Shreyas Iyer's tactical approach of rotating the squad and providing game time to fringe players reflects India's confidence in its bench strength. The Hindu Sportstar reported that India seeks a clean sweep in the dead-rubber third match, allowing the team to head to Japan with momentum and valuable insights into squad balance for the gold medal defense.
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