Afghanistan's top order has struggled hugely in the opening two games and that could continue. India to win with ease and value can be found in the run scoring markets.
Key Stats - Sharma Showing Good Form
- Afghanistan’s Sediqullah Atal has scores of 143 & 98 in his last 4 innings.
- Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran has scores of 107 & 37 in his last 4 innings.
- Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan has taken 16 wickets in his last 5 innings.
- India’s Abhishek Sharma has scored 82 & 39 in his last 2 matches.
- India’s Ishan Kishan has scores of 42 & 38* in his last 2 innings.
- India’s Arshdeep Singh has taken 3/19 & 2/35 in the 2 T20Is of the series.
Head-to-Head
India have won their last 10 T20Is against Afghanistan, with one match ending in a tie before India won the Super Over.
Afghanistan Playing for Pride
Afghanistan head into the final match with the series already lost, but several individual performances provide some encouragement. Rashid Khan was comfortably their biggest bowling threat in the second T20I, taking 3/36, and has now collected 14 wickets across his last nine T20Is. Azmatullah Omarzai has also been productive, with 12 wickets from his previous eight outings.
The greater concern remains the batting. Afghanistan again lost early wickets before recovering to 159, with Ibrahim Zadran making 37 from 33 balls, Darwish Rasooli striking 26 from 15 and Rashid adding a useful 28.
Zadran continues to be one of their most dependable performers, having scored 355 runs at an average above 50 in his recent T20 appearances, while Rasooli has accumulated 322 runs across his last 10 matches at a strike rate above 146. Afghanistan will need that pair to provide a stronger platform if they are to avoid a series whitewash.
India Looking for Clean Sweep
India have already wrapped up the series after another commanding seven-wicket victory, chasing 160 in only 14.5 overs. Their batting depth has been particularly impressive, with Sanju Samson taking centre stage in the second match by hammering 57 from just 22 deliveries. Abhishek Sharma added 39 from 19 balls, while Ishan Kishan contributed 38 from 23 to keep the chase firmly under control.
The bowling attack also delivered another disciplined performance. Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed 3/24 from three overs, Arshdeep Singh picked up two wickets and Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi each struck once.
Kishan has now scored 347 runs across his last 10 T20Is at a strike rate of 143, while captain Shreyas Iyer has accumulated 317 at 146. Arshdeep remains one of India’s leading threats with nine wickets across his previous six matches as the hosts target a clean sweep.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
The Arun Jaitley Stadium should again favour batting, with a flat surface, quick outfield and short boundaries encouraging aggressive stroke play. Spinners may find more assistance as the innings develops. Chasing has worked well throughout the series, with both previous matches won by the team batting second, so the toss winner is likely to bowl first.
Afghanistan (possible XI): Ibrahim Zadran (c), Rahmatullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Gulbadin Naib, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
India (possible XI): Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.