Photo via Hindustan Times

Jasprit Bumrah returns as India thrash Afghanistan after Abhishek Sharma's assault in 1st T20I in New Delhi

India secured an emphatic seven-wicket victory against Afghanistan in the opening T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi after captain Shreyas Iyer elected to field first. Jasprit Bumrah enjoyed an impactful return from an injury-related absence by dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz via an Abhishek Sharma slip catch during his opening over, while fellow pacer Arshdeep Singh claimed top bowling honors with 3 for 19.

Although early strikes left the visitors floundering at 43 for 5 inside seven overs following Ibrahim Zadran's run-out for 11 alongside Sediqullah Atal's 13, Azmatullah Omarzai compiled an unbeaten 64 and combined with Mohammad Nabi (33) in an 83-run revival to drag Afghanistan to 156 for 8.

India raced to their target in just 13.4 overs, reaching 157 for 3 behind an aggressive counter-assault by Abhishek Sharma, who opened the batting alongside Sanju Samson with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi sidelined. Abhishek pounded seven boundaries and seven maximums, combining with Ishan Kishan (42 runs from 33 deliveries) to steer the hosts to 82 for 1 by the end of the initial six overs.

Despite Nabi picking up 2 for 28 with the ball, the explosive top-order display ensured a commanding series-opening win.

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