India checked almost all the boxes during the first T20I against Afghanistan on Tuesday. Barely 24 hours after landing in the country following a successful Asian Games campaign, captain Shreyas Iyer led from the front as India won by eight wickets. Debutant Naman Dhir took three wickets, while others contributed as well. In the chase, Iyer scored a fine maiden T20I century as India chased down a 170-plus target in less than 15 overs.
However, Sanju Samson could not score big. He was out for 11. In the Asian Games, his scores read 9, 7, and 2. Barring the two half-centuries against Afghanistan last month, Samson’s form in T20Is has not been great since the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Ignored India star Hanuma Vihari opined on the “long rope” that Samson is getting.
“The biggest question is another failure for Samson. How long a rope can he get? I am a big fan, and I would like him to play. But I think he is feeling insecure. He has also said before that when there is pressure from competition behind him, he cannot perform. That’s why, if you remember, when Ishan made a comeback in the New Zealand series before the World Cup, Samson did not perform. And now, Vaibhav is behind him. He must be feeling that pressure,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“Pressure plays a big part. Most people do not understand it. Those who have played know it, but those who have not don’t get it. That’s why, in cricket, especially when playing for India, you need to be able to handle pressure. Samson will be feeling that pressure, and for that matter, anyone would in his place.”
Shreyas Iyer led the way with 102 not out off 43 balls as India beat West Indies by eight wickets Tuesday in the first of the five Twenty20 internationals.
The captain reached his maiden T20 hundred after 42 balls — tied for the sixth-fastest century by an India player in the format — as the hosts finished with 172-2 in 14.4 overs, chasing West Indies’ 171 all out (19.1 overs).
Iyer hit six sixes and 10 fours. Ishan Kishan scored 37 not out, as the duo put on 137 off 67 balls for the third wicket.
Shai Hope (52) and Sherfane Rutherford (56) hit half-centuries for the visitors to help recover from 135-8, but it was an under-par score against the reigning T20 world champions.
The second match is on Friday in Ranchi.
Earlier, India won the toss and opted to bowl. Batting all-rounder Naman Dhir made his T20 debut for the hosts.
Chasing 172, India lost its in-form batters in the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma scored 21 off 10 balls, before holing out off Roston Chase. Sanju Samson was out for 11.
India made 62-2 in the powerplay, as Kishan and Iyer helped the innings recover to 102-2 at the halfway mark.
With AP inputs
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