India Seal T20I Series! Ishan Kishan Powers 7-Wicket Win Over Afghanistan

India defeated Afghanistan by seven wickets in the second T20I in Delhi to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

India have sealed the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan after cruising to a seven-wicket victory in the second T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Afghanistan posted 159/8 after being asked to bat first, but India made light work of the chase. The hosts reached 163/3 in just 14.5 overs, winning with 31 balls remaining.

The result gives India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, with the third and final T20I still to come.

Afghanistan Post 159/8 After Choosing to Bat

Afghanistan reached 159/8 from their 20 overs after producing enough middle-order resistance to give themselves a competitive total.

Ibrahim Zadran top-scored with 37 runs, while Rashid Khan provided a late boost with a valuable 28 from 16 balls.

Mohammad Nabi also contributed 20 from 14 balls, helping Afghanistan push the total towards the 160-run mark.

Nitish Kumar Reddy Leads India's Bowling Attack

India's bowlers kept Afghanistan from producing a much bigger total. Nitish Kumar Reddy was the standout bowler with 3 wickets.

Arshdeep Singh claimed two wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi picked up one each.

Afghanistan's late hitting gave them 159, but India's batting depth meant the target never looked particularly threatening once the chase got underway.

India Chase 160 in Just 14.5 Overs

India responded with an aggressive chase and kept the required run rate under control almost immediately.

Ishan Kishan played a key role at the top of the order, scoring an unbeaten 38 from 23 balls. His innings included three fours and two sixes and came at a strike rate of 165.21.

Tilak Varma finished with 15 from 14 balls, while the Indian batting order continued to attack Afghanistan's bowling.

India eventually reached 163/3 after only 14.5 overs, completing one of the most comfortable chases of the series.

Rashid Khan Takes Three But India Stay in Control

Afghanistan's biggest threat with the ball was once again Rashid Khan. The captain finished with 3/36 from 3.5 overs.

His three wickets briefly gave Afghanistan some hope, but India's scoring rate ensured the visitors could not build enough pressure.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman also bowled three overs but went wicketless, conceding 37 runs.

2nd T20I Scorecard

Key Performers

India Take an Unassailable 2-0 Lead

With two victories from the opening two matches, India have now secured the T20I series before the final game.

India won the first T20I by seven wickets and followed it with another seven-wicket victory in Delhi. The back-to-back results underline the difference between the two sides across the opening matches.

Afghanistan will now have one final opportunity to finish the series with a victory when the teams meet again in the third T20I.

The Big Takeaway

India's second T20I victory was another statement of their batting dominance. Afghanistan managed 159, but India attacked the target from the start and finished the chase with more than five overs to spare.

Ishan Kishan's unbeaten 38 and India's overall scoring rate ensured there was very little opportunity for Afghanistan to build sustained pressure.

Afghanistan now need a strong response in the final match, while India can use the dead rubber to give opportunities to other players and complete a series sweep.