The India vs Afghanistan T20 rivalry has gained prominence in the last few years.
India and Afghanistan clashed for the first time in an international cricket match during a 2010 T20 World Cup group match in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia.
Under the leadership of MS Dhoni, India won the toss and opted to field. The Men in Blue rode on Ashish Nehra’s 3/19 and Praveen Kumar’s 2/14 to restrict Afghanistan to 115/8.
Later, Murali Vijay (48) and Yuvraj Singh (23 not out) helped India successfully chase down the target in 14.5 overs to secure a comprehensive seven-wicket win.
Two years later, both sides were once again clubbed in Group A in the 2012 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka. The MS Dhoni-led India won the fixture by 23 runs in Colombo.
Overall, India and Afghanistan have faced each other eight times in T20 international cricket.
The Men in Blue have dominated Afghanistan in cricket’s shortest format, winning six of the eight matches so far. One game was tied while the other ended in no result.
Both sides have registered numerous records during their enthralling battles and here we take a closer look at some of those India vs Afghanistan T20 records and stats.
India vs Afghanistan T20 records and stats
Highest total
The Indian cricket team holds the record for the highest total in India vs Afghanistan T20 internationals. Led by captain KL Rahul, India posted 212/2 in their 20 overs against Afghanistan in an Asia Cup Super Four clash in Dubai in September 2022. Put in to bat, India rode on Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 122 off just 61 balls and KL Rahul’s 41-ball 62 to post a huge total on the board. India later restricted Afghanistan to 111/8 in their allotted overs to register a 101-run victory.
Lowest total
The Afghanistan cricket team registered the lowest total in India vs Afghanistan T20 history in the same game. During the Asia Cup 2022 Super Four encounter, Afghanistan could only manage 111/8 in their 20 overs in reply to India’s 212/2. Chasing a massive target, Afghanistan lost wickets at regular intervals as they later fell short by 101 runs. Ibrahim Zadran top-scored for Afghanistan with 64 not out. Earlier, India posted 212/2 in their allotted overs courtesy of Virat Kohli’s scintillating century.
Most runs
Virat Kohli holds the record for the most runs in India vs Afghanistan T20 internationals. Between 2012 and 2024, Virat Kohli has scored 201 runs in five T20I matches against Afghanistan at an average of 67 and a strike rate of 171.79. He has slammed one century and one fifty against Afghanistan in T20 international cricket. For Afghanistan, Mohammad Nabi has the most runs in this T20I fixture. Mohammad Nabi has amassed 163 runs in seven T20Is against India at a strike rate of 135.83.
Most wickets
India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Arshdeep Singh and Afghanistan’s Fareed Ahmad currently share the record for the most wickets in this T20 fixture. While Bhuvneshwar Kumar has bagged five wickets in a solitary T20I against Afghanistan, Ravichandran Ashwin picked five wickets in three matches while Arshdeep has taken five scalps in four games against the same opposition. Fareed Ahmad, on the other hand, bagged five wickets in three T20I games against India.
Highest individual score
Virat Kohli has registered the highest individual score in India vs Afghanistan T20 history. Opening the batting, Virat Kohli smashed an unbeaten 122 off just 61 balls against Afghanistan in an Asia Cup Super Four encounter in September 2022. Kohli’s scintillating knock was laced with 12 fours and six maximums to power India to 212/2 in their 20 overs. In reply, Afghanistan scored 111/8 as India won the game by 101 runs.
Best bowling figures
Bhuvneshwar Kumar recorded the best bowling figures in India vs Afghanistan T20 internationals. Right-arm pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar registered match-winning figures of 5/4 against Afghanistan in an Asia Cup clash in 2022. Defending 212, Bhuvneshwar dismissed Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Karim Janat, Najibullah Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai to help restrict Afghanistan to 111/8 in their 20 overs. Bhuvneshwar’s brilliant spell guided India to a 101-victory in Dubai.
Highest partnership
Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh hold the record for the highest partnership in India vs Afghanistan T20Is. Reeling at 22/4, Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh stitched an unbeaten 190-run partnership for the fifth wicket against Afghanistan in the final T20I of a three-match series in Bengaluru. Rohit Sharma scored 121 not out while Rinku Singh remained unbeaten on 69 not out to help India to post 212/4 in their 20 overs. In reply, Afghanistan scored 212/6 in their allotted overs to take the match to a Super Over. India later won the game in the second Super Over to clinch the three-match series 3-0.
Photo credit: Alamy
