India cruise past Afghanistan as Sharma blitz earns series lead

India claimed a dominant seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the first Twenty20 international in New Delhi on Sunday, ​taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after ‌chasing down a victory target of 157 with 38 balls to spare.

After Sanju Samson fell in the third over, Abhishek Sharma launched a ​blistering counterattack, smashing 82 off 32 balls, while Ishan ​Kishan contributed 42 as the pair put India firmly ⁠in control of the chase.

Sharma’s aggressive strokeplay ensured Afghanistan ​never threatened the target, with India cruising towards victory before ​Mohammad Nabi struck twice late in the innings to remove both Sharma and Kishan.

Captain Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma then guided their side over ​the line, with Iyer finishing unbeaten on eight from ​five deliveries.

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Afghanistan had earlier made a poor start after being put in ‌to ⁠bat, with Jasprit Bumrah, returning to the side after a knee injury, striking in the opening over to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck.

They slipped to 41-4 inside the powerplay, ​with captain Ibrahim ​Zadran (11) and ⁠Sediqullah Atal (13) among the early casualties.

A steady stream of wickets kept Afghanistan under pressure throughout the ​innings, but Azmatullah Omarzai provided some resistance ​with a ⁠counter-attacking 64 off 44 balls.

The all-rounder shared a crucial 83-run partnership with Mohammad Nabi (33) to revive the innings before Nabi fell to ⁠Arshdeep Singh, ​who applied the brakes in the ​death overs and finished with figures of 3-19.

India will face Afghanistan next on ​Tuesday.