India chase down Afghanistan's 159 with ease in the second T20I at Arun Jaitley Stadium, taking a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
India moved within one win of sealing the T20I series against Afghanistan after a commanding performance in the second match at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday night. Batting first, Afghanistan posted 159 for 8 in their 20 overs, but India's chase was effectively settled by a rapid half-century from wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who joined an elite group of Indian batters with consecutive T20I fifties at the venue.cricbuzz+2
Afghanistan's innings began poorly when opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for a three-ball duck, caught behind off Arshdeep Singh. Captain Ibrahim Zadran anchored the recovery with a measured 37 off 33 balls, including six fours, before being dismissed by Nitish Kumar Reddy. Sediqullah Atal added 12 off 15 balls, while Darwish Rasooli contributed 26 off 15 with a four and two sixes. Azmatullah Omarzai made 11 off 10, and veteran Mohammad Nabi chipped in with 20 off 14. Rashid Khan top-scored with 28 off 16, but his late flourish could not lift Afghanistan past 160.cricbuzz+2
India's bowling attack was led by Nitish Kumar Reddy, who recorded career-best T20I figures of 3 for 24 in three overs, removing key batters at crucial junctures. Arshdeep Singh took 2 for 35 in four overs, while Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi claimed one wicket each. Shivam Dube bowled an over without taking a wicket. The disciplined effort ensured Afghanistan never built sustained momentum after the early setbacks.cricbuzz+2
In reply, India's openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson set the tone with an aggressive start. Samson, recalled to the XI after being dropped for the first T20I, played a controlled yet explosive innings, reaching his fifty off just 22 balls with seven fours and four sixes before being dismissed for 57. His knock allowed India to maintain a healthy run rate throughout the chase. Abhishek Sharma provided the fireworks at the other end, continuing his dominant form against Afghanistan's bowling.cricbuzz+2
Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan saw India home comfortably, ensuring the target was reached with overs to spare. The victory gives India a 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with the decider scheduled to follow shortly. For Afghanistan, the challenge now is to regroup quickly and produce a near-perfect performance in the final T20I to avoid a series whitewash.cricbuzz+1
KEY FACTS:
●Afghanistan scored 159/8 in 20 overs; Nitish Kumar Reddy took 3/24, his best T20I figures.cricbuzz+1
●Sanju Samson hit 57 off 22 balls (7x4, 4x6) to lead India's chase; he recorded consecutive T20I fifties at Arun Jaitley Stadium.cricbuzz+1
●India's win gives them a 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series; the third match will decide whether Afghanistan can avoid a clean sweep.cricbuzz+1
SOURCES:
●ESPN Cricinfo – Full Scorecard: India vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I, 2026 https://www.espn.com/cricket/series/24677/game/1549587/india-vs-afghanistan-2nd-t20i-24677
●Cricbuzz – AFG vs IND 2nd T20I Commentary and Preview https://www.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scores/170110/afg-vs-ind-2nd-t20i-afghanistan-vs-india-in-india-2026
●India Today – Live Score Updates: IND vs AFG 2nd T20I https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/india-vs-afghanistan-live-score-2nd-t20i-afg-vs-ind-match-2995178-2026-09-15
●Mid-Day – Photo Report: Nitish Kumar Reddy's 3-wicket haul https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/photo/ind-vs-afg-2nd-t20i-nitish-kumar-reddy-claims-three-wickets-afghanistan-post-159-runs-113094
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