Abhishek Sharma plundered a 32-ball 82 as India routed Afghanistan by seven wickets with 44 balls to spare in the first of three T20Is.

Afghanistan were restricted to 156-8 in their first "home" T20 in Delhi despite Azmatullah Omarzai's unbeaten 64, with Arshdeep Singh taking 3-19 for a full-strength India.

Abhishek then smacked seven fours and as many sixes in a glorious knock, as India posted 157-3 in just 13.4 overs in Sunday's contest.

A returning, lean-looking Jasprit Bumrah bowled wayward to start with but then nipped one in that Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0) nicked to the slips.

Ibrahim Zadran (11) got himself run out and Sediqullah Atal (13) was caught and bowled by Arshdeep, having earlier sent Bumrah for a flat six.

Gulbadin Naib (2) and Darwish Rasooli (2) failed to make a start either as Afghanistan slipped to 43-5.

It was left to Omarzai to anchor their innings, the all-rounder dispatching four fours and as many sixes, and putting on 83 with Mohammad Nabi (33) to at least give Afghanistan something to protect.

Yet it was nowhere near enough, with Abhishek's sparkling knock, alongside Ishan Kishan's efforts, putting India on the verge of victory, with Shreyas Iyer (8 not out) and Tilak Varma (3 not out) getting them over the line with plenty of time to spare.

Destructive. Decisive. Decorated.

A well-deserved Player of the Match award for Abhishek Sharma

Scorecard https://t.co/Wacwj3tM4l#TeamIndia | #AFGvIND | @OfficialAbhi04 pic.twitter.com/v7c87arsq1

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 13, 2026

Abhishek steals the show

India's strength in depth means their biggest issue has been selecting who to open the batting, with superstar-in-the-making Vaibhav Sooryavanshi – the player of the series against Zimbabwe – missing out.

Sanju Samson (10) was back in the team and made a couple of early fours before holing out to deep-square leg off Omarzai.

Abhishek played himself into form here after some low scores lately, lashing his first six over cover off Fazalhaq Farooqi, and that set the tone for a masterclass of big hitting across the park.

Kishan contributed just 35 in a 121-second wicket partnership as Abhishek took over.

In total, Kishan made 42 off 33, but went when trying to slog for his second six of the game, Rashid Khan – who finished wicketless – taking the first of two excellent catches he made on the boundary.