India defeated Afghanistan by seven wickets in the second T20I in Delhi on Tuesday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Sanju Samson played a key role with the bat, scoring 57, while all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy impressed with the ball, taking three wickets for 24 runs.

India had also won the opening match by seven wickets on Sunday and now have an opportunity to complete a series sweep in the final T20I.

Afghanistan Post 159 for 8

India won the toss and chose to bowl first. The decision paid off early as Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a duck in the second over.

India continued to put pressure on Afghanistan and reduced them to 96 for five. Ibrahim Zadran tried to steady the innings with 37 runs from 33 balls.

Afghanistan received a late boost from Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan. Nabi scored 20, while Rashid added 28 to help Afghanistan finish on 159 for eight after 20 overs.

Nitish Kumar Reddy was India’s leading bowler with figures of 3-24.

Samson and Abhishek Give India Fast Start

India’s chase began aggressively as Samson and Abhishek Sharma put together 88 runs from just 38 balls for the opening wicket.

Abhishek scored 39 before Rashid Khan ended the partnership. Rashid then removed Samson for 57 and dismissed India captain Shreyas Iyer for 11, leaving India at 123 for three.

Afghanistan’s brief comeback, however, was not enough to stop the Indian batting lineup.

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Kishan and Tilak Finish the Chase

Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma remained unbeaten and added 40 runs from 25 balls to take India across the finish line.

Kishan struck the winning boundary as India reached 160 for three with 31 balls remaining.

The result gives India a 2-0 series lead and confirms that Afghanistan cannot overturn the outcome in the final match.

Final T20I in Delhi

India and Afghanistan will meet again at the same venue on Thursday for the third and final T20I.

India captain Shreyas Iyer indicated that the final game could provide an opportunity for players who have not featured in the first two matches to get some playing time.

The final match will therefore allow India to assess more members of its squad while Afghanistan looks to end the series with a win.