Player of the Match Abhishek Sharma played a match-winning knock as India defeated Afghanistan by seven wickets in the first T20I at the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi on Sunday, September 13. The left-handed opener smashed 82 off 32 balls to help India chase down 157 with 38 balls to spare and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Following his explosive innings, Abhishek backed India’s aggressive approach and insisted that one or two disappointing series should not be enough to question the team’s batting philosophy.
‘One or two (bad) series won’t define our batting’
India recently endured a difficult run in white-ball cricket, losing the T20I series against Ireland 0-2 before suffering defeats in both the T20I and ODI series against England. However, Abhishek made it clear that the team has no plans to move away from the approach it adopted a couple of years ago.
Reflecting on India’s aggressive batting philosophy, Abhishek said that the approach had brought them considerable success and that the team would continue to trust it despite a few setbacks.
“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,” he was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
Iyer credits Bumrah for setting the tone
India captain Shreyas Iyer credited the entire team for their convincing victory and highlighted Jasprit Bumrah’s early impact with the ball. Bumrah struck in the very first over, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck, before Arshdeep Singh and the spinners continued to put pressure on the Afghan batters.
Praising the team’s collective effort, Iyer said:
“Everyone worked in synergy. Bumrah is a great asset, he created momentum for all. Arshdeep (Singh) too. Varun (Chakravarthy) continued that with Axar (Patel),” he added.
Iyer also lauded Abhishek for his aggressive knock and praised Ishan Kishan, who scored a composed 42 off 33 balls during the chase.
“The shots Abhishek played were flawless, exemplary. (Ishan) Kishan has been in great form. He’s very relaxed, calm and knows his game,” said Iyer of the wicketkeeper-batter, who scored 42 off 33 balls.
Afghanistan blame low total
Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran admitted that his side failed to put enough runs on the board after being restricted to 156/8. While Afghanistan recovered well during the middle overs, India’s strong batting line-up made light work of the target.
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Zadran also credited India’s bowling and fielding efforts, while pointing to Ishan Kishan’s run-out as a crucial moment in the contest.
“We batted well in the middle overs but didn’t put up a good score. Their (Indian) bowlers and fielders did well, that run out by Kishan (of me) was the turning point I think. They’re the best fielding side. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (out for zero) didn’t have his day, but he will come back stronger,” he hoped.
