One down, two to go. It's a short series, it's started with a one-sided game. This could've been a much bigger win but Afghanistan picked apart some of India's mistake. More on that in Sidharth Monga's report. It also gives more juice for Abhijato, our reporter at the ground, to work with. Read his match analysis. More coming from him and us this series. See you for that. Thanks for joining tonight, bye.
Shreyas Iyer, India captain: Everyone worked in synergy. Bumrah is a great asset, he created momentum for all. Arshdeep too. Varun continued that with Axar. No choice (for the last over), was unfair on Dube to come on without being able to judge the pitch. But it's absolutely fine because he'll go and work things out. The shots Abhishek played were flawless, exemplary. Kishan has been in great form. He's very relaxed, calm and knows his game.
Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan captain: We batted well in the middle overs but didn't put up a good score. Their bowlers and fielders did well, that run out by Kishan was the turning point I think. They're the best fielding side. Gurbaz didn't have his day, but he will come back stronger.
Abhishek Sharma, POTM: Getting a catch in the first over makes you confident, very happy. When we face Bumrah in the nets, it feels like we're facing first few overs of a Test. I still remember two years back, we decided we want to play a certain way and dominate all teams. It worked for a year. But one or two (bad) series won't define our batting. As openers, you want to give a good start as an opener.
Shabd: "Abhishek did Indian fans a favor by finishing the match early. now no need to switch scores between men and women match. " Voice of reason you are, Shabd. SL have just lost Chamari Athapaththu for 36. SL 62 for 2 in the 10th over chasing 184. Deepti Sharma's wicket celebrations are next level. Vishmi Gunaratne falls three balls later. Is that the game?
Aniruddha : "Why was NKR in this team? To bowl 2 overs? " Result aside, I feel he should've been given one more, even though he went for 30 off 12, so that Dube didn't have to bowl. But this line of questioning/statement-making isn't all that strong either. India had a huge early advantage and had him bowl into the pitch and yorkers. There was a plan, even if not a successful one
SamC: "Can Home Track Bully be a Compliment??!" Can 'bully' be a compliment?
10:29pm: Afghanistan have been Abhishook! Not just shook but dragged around and left with nothing to show for. They got Samson early, that did nothing to stop the boundaries. Five of the first six overs went for more than ten, one went for 26. To use PE-teacher syntax, what comeback you'll do from there?
avikrams: "An absolute screamer at long-on, leaving not only Gambhir but also my 3 years oold son who is screen savy, wondering whether to applaud the catch or check his pulse!"
SunnyMan : "Beautiful Sunday morning in California. Watching both India watches simultaneously on 2 different screens. Hopefully not for too long as men wrap this one!" Likely to be the lost over this
END OF OVER:13 | 6 Runs 1 Wkt | IND: 152/3 (5 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 11.69, RRR: 0.71)
- Tilak Varma0 (2b)
- Shreyas Iyer6 (3b)
- Mohammad Nabi3-0-28-2
- Rashid Khan3-0-29-0
Slip in
Ishan Kishan c Rashid Khan b Mohammad Nabi 42 (48m 33b 5x4 1x6) SR: 127.27
avikrams: "Abhishek was striking it so cleanly today! Currently among the very best strike rates in T20 cricket - pleasure to watch pure hitting class from the Indian opener."
END OF OVER:12 | 7 Runs | IND: 146/2 (11 runs required from 48 balls, RR: 12.16, RRR: 1.37)
- Ishan Kishan37 (30b)
- Shreyas Iyer5 (2b)
- Rashid Khan3-0-29-0
- Mohammad Nabi2-0-22-1
