India clinch T20 series over Afghanistan with Samson’s 57‑run blitz

India secured a decisive T20 series victory over Afghanistan, with Sanju Samson’s half‑century powering wins in the first two matches.

15 Sep 2026

Sanju Samson top‑scored with 57 runs off 22 balls, guiding India to a seven‑wicket victory over Afghanistan and sealing the three‑match T20 series with one game remaining on Tuesday.

His innings included four sixes and seven fours, marking his first half‑century since this year’s T20 World Cup final, where he had been named Player of the Tournament.

Opening batsman Abhishek Sharma contributed 39 runs off 19 balls, striking four sixes, and together with Samson they put on 88 runs in just 38 balls.

India posted a total of 163 for three in 14.5 overs. They had also triumphed in the opening match by seven wickets at the same venue on Sunday.

Afghanistan hosted the series under a special arrangement for the second consecutive time; after winning the toss, India chose to field and restricted the hosts to an below‑par total.

India’s all‑rounder Nitish Reddy delivered a impressive 3‑for‑24 in just three overs, helping keep Afghanistan to 159 for eight in their 20‑over innings.

Samson and Sharma unleashed a blistering opening partnership, propelling India to 82 runs without loss in the powerplay. Afghanistan altered their bowling approach by employing spin in this powerplay, yet it proved ineffective.

Rashid Khan entered after the powerplay and broke the partnership in the seventh over, dismissing Sharma caught at deep midwicket.

Samson continued his aggressive display, achieving his seventh T20 half‑century off 20 balls. Khan struck again in the same over, as Samson fended a catch to long‑off.

India had already reached 100 runs in just 7.1 overs, marking their joint‑second‑fastest start to an innings since 2024.

Captain Shreyas Iyer became Khan’s third wicket, caught at slip, but Ishan Kishan (38 not out) and Tilak Varma (15 not out) finished the chase comfortably.

In their response, Afghanistan suffered another modest start. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a second consecutive duck, this time by Arshdeep Singh.

Captain Ibrahim Zadran top‑scored with 37 runs off 33 balls, ensuring Afghanistan avoided further wicket losses during the powerplay.

However, the hosts collapsed from 59 for two to 100 for six in the middle overs, with Reddy claiming two wickets. Afghanistan salvaged some resistance through a 48‑run stand of 28 balls between Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi.

Khan contributed 28 runs off 16 balls, including three fours and a six, while Mohammad Nabi added 20 runs from 14 balls.

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