IND vs AFG: Sanju Samson goes berserk, hammers his fastest T20I fifty in 2nd match against Afghanistan

Sanju Samson scripted history with a jaw-dropping power-hitting during the second T20I against Afghanistan at New Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium. Launching a relentless assault alongside fellow opener Abhishek Sharma, the explosive batter raised his half-century in just 20 deliveries, marking his fastest fifty in the shortest format of international cricket.

Sanju Samson tonks his fastest fifty in T20Is

He surpassed his record of a 22-ball fifty, which he notched against Bangladesh in Hyderabad back in 2024.

He brought up his fifty on the fourth delivery of the seventh over during India's run-chase. Confronted with a length ball outside off-stump from Rashid Khan, Samson leaned forward into a defensive stroke, feathering an outside edge that darted past the slip fielder and raced away to the boundary to mark his first half-century of the series.

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Featuring in his 68th T20 International, the stroke-maker registered his seventh fifty in the shortest format, adding to a impressive tally that also includes three international centuries.

However, just when he was looking all guns blazing for an imminent ton, his knock was brought to a sudden halt on the final delivery of the powerplay. Attempting to clear the boundary once more off Rashid Khan, Samson was caught right on the rope by Mohammad Nabi, bringing a dramatic end to a brief yet historic blitz.

Samson's fifty helps India seal T20I series against Afghanistan

India's pursuit of 160 was powered by an electric opening stand between Samson and Abhishek Sharma, who accumulated 55 runs inside the first five overs. The climax of the powerplay came against Mohammad Nabi, as Samson unleashed a furious assault by boundary-hitting the final four deliveries for two fours and two sixes. That explosive 27-run sixth over catapulted the hosts to a commanding 82 for no loss at the end of six overs.

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The home side ultimately stormed to 163 for 3, comfortably sealing a seven-wicket victory with 31 balls unused. Abhishek provided crucial early momentum with a rapid 19-ball 39, striking two boundaries and clearing the ropes four times, before Ishan Kishan anchored the remaining chase with an unbeaten 38 off 23 balls, highlighted by three fours and a pair of sixes.

In the first half of the match, Afghanistan were restricted to 159 for 8 after being put in to bat. India's bowling effort was spearheaded by effective spells from Nitish Kumar Reddy, who claimed 3 for 24, and Arshdeep Singh, who chipped in with 2 for 35.