Afghanistan’s designated home series against India in New Delhi highlights the team’s operational dependence on neutral venues following a seven-wicket defeat in the opening Delhi T20I.
The hosts posted 156 for eight, anchored by Azmatullah Omarzai’s unbeaten 64 against Arshdeep Singh, who claimed three for 19. The tourists chased the target in 13.4 overs after Abhishek Sharma struck 82 from 32 deliveries, leaving the home side needing to harness IPL intelligence for the remaining matches.
India Top Order Selection Tested
The fixture presented severe competitive tests as India refined their combinations, omitting 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to recall Sanju Samson. The teenager was recently named Player of the Series during a 3-0 sweep over Zimbabwe. Samson scored just 10 runs before pulling Omarzai to a deep fielder, an exit that keeps the top-order door open for his younger teammate.
Former international Mohammad Kaif questioned the structural changes to the opening pair. According to CricTracker, Kaif suggested Sooryavanshi would feel aggrieved by the decision.
“What did Sanju do in between to get a chance today? Usually, when you are dropped, you play here and there and regain some form; nothing like that has happened. Why did he get a chance? That is a massive question? Why didn’t you go with the same combination after Vaibhav scored runs in Zimbabwe, that is another question,” Kaif said.
The administrative arrangement continues as Afghanistan prepare for the second match of the three-match series.
