Sanju Samson ripped a 57‑ball half‑century, hitting four sixes and seven fours, as India chased 163/3 in 14.5 overs to beat Afghanistan by seven wickets, sealing a 2‑0 series advantage.
The first match saw Samson struggle for 10 off eight, but the second game flipped the script. With the score at 44/1 after 10 overs, Samson exploded, guiding India from 88/3 to a comfortable finish. Nitish Reddy’s 3/24 kept Afghanistan to 159/8 before Samson’s blaze took over.
"We want to win the game first," Samson told reporters after the win. He added that competition should never eclipse the team’s goal. When asked about the buzz around Sooryavanshi’s omission, he said, "I try to switch the Wi‑Fi off, but sometimes it’s still on. The focus has to stay inside the ground.".
Sooryavanshi, who was named Player of the Series in Zimbabwe, stayed on the bench in both T20Is. Samson acknowledged that form and team strategy drive selection decisions, noting that his own form dips meant the younger player had a chance.
India’s 2‑0 lead leaves only the final T20I against England to decide the series outcome. Samson’s return could be a game‑changer, especially after his earlier drop after the World Cup.