DDCA hails hosting India-Afghanistan T20I series as a great experience

India secured a 3-0 series victory against Afghanistan in the T20I matches held at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) Director Shyam Sunder described hosting the series as a “great experience”.

Sunder stated that the Afghanistan Cricket Board and team praised the facilities and the pitch at the stadium. He added that the Delhi crowd enthusiastically appreciated good bowling and batting performances from both teams. “We were hosting a match at our own stadium for the first time, and it was a great experience. We tried to provide excellent facilities, and the entire Afghanistan Cricket Board and their team were happy and full of praise. They particularly praised our pitch, which was very gratifying,” Sunder said.

He further noted the inclusive atmosphere, saying, “It wasn’t just the Afghan fans; the Delhi crowd appreciated good bowling and batting alike, applauding enthusiastically. There was no sense of discrimination regarding the visiting team; the atmosphere was fantastic. They are a very good team. The initiative to promote Afghan cricket was Jay Shah’s vision. He has done a tremendous job promoting cricket in all associate nations. That effort is now bearing fruit.” Jay Shah is the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

DDCA Secretary Ashok Sharma expressed his happiness over India’s series victory, emphasising its significance after two previous series defeats. He highlighted the successful hosting of the series and said the Afghanistan team would take back the experience of India’s hospitality, referencing the spirit of “Atithi Devo Bhava” (treating the guest as God).

Sharma assured the Afghanistan side of continued support to promote Afghan cricket in Delhi through the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). “It is a matter of great joy that India won the series. After losing the previous two series, a victory brings happiness to the entire nation. Since the DDCA served as the host, the series went very well; the Afghanistan management will surely take back the experience and share with their country how India embodies the spirit of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’. We have invited them to return, assuring them that whenever they need support to promote Afghanistan cricket in Delhi, the DDCA, through the BCCI, will always stand by them,” he said.

In the final T20I match on Thursday, India posted 221 for 7, with Abhishek Sharma delivering a record-breaking innings of 108 runs off 34 balls, leading to a dominant 127-run victory over Afghanistan.

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