India Bowl Out Afghanistan for 156 in T20I Opener

India restricted Afghanistan to 156 for eight in the first T20 International at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, setting up a chase of 157 in the series opener. Captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to field, citing familiar conditions and recent momentum. The match marked the return of premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah to the playing XI after recovering from a left-knee injury. The Indian team management selected experienced wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson over teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, while mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy was preferred over seamer Yash Thakur. Washington Sundar was among those who missed out. India's bowling unit kept a tight leash on the Afghan batting lineup, striking at regular intervals to prevent them from breaking loose. The selection of Samson over Sooryavanshi came amid pre-match debate about India's batting order and team identity. Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik had publicly questioned where Samson fits into the T20I plans following the emergence of the 15-year-old Sooryavanshi.