India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I, score, result and highlights from New Delhi as India demolishes the visitors on their way to a seven-wicket victory.

India and Afghanistan get their three-match T20I series underway in New Delhi on September 13.

Shreyas Iyer takes charge of this T20I squad for the first time on Indian soil. The series doubles as a final dry run before the Asian Games get underway on September 24 in Japan, so the management will be keen to get squad combinations right.

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India's recent form doesn't quite fit the profile of T20 World Cup champions. They suffered back-to-back T20I defeats to Ireland in June. England then handed them a 4-0 T20I series defeat, followed by a 2-1 setback in the ODIs.

Some pride was recovered in Zimbabwe, but there's clearly work to be done. The returns of Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar significantly strengthen the unit, and the expectation is that India will be considerably sharper here than they were in recent outings.

Sanju Samson's return is also guaranteed to give India's batting unit some more breathing space. Sooryavanshi will be sitting on the sidelines for this first game, delaying his home international debut for some more matches.

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Afghanistan comes into this series with real intent. Ibrahim Zadran has spoken openly about wanting to become the first Afghan captain to beat India in international cricket, and it is an ambition that sets the tone for what they're hoping to achieve across three games.

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India vs. Afghanistan 1st T20I live updates and toss result

After 13.4 overs, India are 157/3

While Mohammad Nabi managed to remove both Kishan and Sharma from the crease, the damage was already done by that point. Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma continued to steal runs between some long shots as India comfortably cruised past Afghanistan's target.

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After 10 overs, India are 130/1

Kishan and Sharma strike up a hundred-run partnership as India reaches 130 runs in just 10 overs. Sharma in particular has been punishing the Afghan bowlers extra hard, hitting them for seven fours and seven sixes as he forced his way to a wonderful fifty.

Kishan, meanwhile, balanced Sharma's power hitting by rotating the strike at the right moments to keep the score board moving.

After 6 overs, India are 82/1

Despite losing the early wicket of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma has absolutely hammered the Afghan bowling attack for boundaries. Ishan Kishan has also continued his form from Zimbabwe and looks to be on his way to score a big number himself.

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After 20 overs, Afghanistan are 156/8

After a string of wickets following Mohammad Nabi's dismissal almost derailed Afghanistan's comeback, Omarzai once again took control of the innings from the Indians. The batter quickly reached his century before hitting Shivam Dube for two massive sixes in the final over.

Rahman followed suit with back-to-back fours to take Afghanistan over the 150-run mark. India now has a sizeable target in front of them on a venue that is not known for allowing massive innings.

After 15 overs, Afghanistan are 104/5

The duo of Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai have put on a fine 50-run partnership to finally put the gas on Afghanistan's scoring. The two have managed to hammer the Indians for boundaries as they breach the hundred-run mark for their team.

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Nitish Kumar Reddy remains the favourite target for the visitors to hit for maximums, as the bowler has allowed 30 runs in just two overs.

After 10 overs, Afghanistan are 56/5

The Indian bowling unit has completely choked the scoring, refusing to let the visitors even reach a run-a-ball rate. Half of the Afghanistan batting lineup has already been sent back to the dugout, leaving the remaining batsmen stranded in a deep slump.

The team is now entirely dependent on their lower-middle order to anchor the innings and drag them to a respectable total.

After 6 overs, Afghanistan are 41/4/

India made quick work of the visitors, taking four wickets within the powerplay, leaving the Afghans without their top order as they continue to struggle to even steal singles.

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The return of Bumrah to the bowling attack has definitely strengthened their ability to take quick wickets. On the other hand, half the Afghanistan batting lineup is gone, and the team struggles as they depend on their middle order to take them beyond the current slump.

Toss: India won the toss and chose to bowl first.

India vs. Afghanistan 1st T20I: Playing XI

India playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Nitish Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakravarthy.

Afghanistan's playing XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran (C), Sediqullah Atal, Darwesh Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmed and Fazalhaq Farooqui.

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Indiavs. Afghanistan 1st T20I: Win percentage

India vs. Afghanistan 1st T20I: Betting odds

India are the favourites to win this match at 1.10 on Dafa, while the odds for Afghanistan to win are 6.60.

* Odds are correct at the time of publish but subject to change.

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