New Delhi, Sept 2026 : Left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma produced a stunning display of power-hitting at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday, smashing the fastest T20I century by a batter from a Test-playing nation as India posted a massive 221/7 against Afghanistan in the third and final T20I.
Abhishek reached his century in just 30 balls and finished with a breathtaking 108 off 34 deliveries. His innings contained nine fours and 11 sixes, giving him an astonishing strike rate of 317.65.
The onslaught helped India race to 100/0 at the end of the six-over powerplay. Although Afghanistan fought back strongly in the latter stages and picked up four wickets in the final five overs, India still crossed the 220-run mark to finish on 221/7.
Abhishek found excellent support from Sanju Samson, who continued his impressive run in the series with a 35-ball half-century. It was Samson’s second successive fifty, and the pair put on 142 runs for the opening wicket.
For Afghanistan, Azmatullah Omarzai was the most successful bowler with 2/27, while Abdullah Ahmadzai claimed one wicket. Rashid Khan also played a major role in the field, producing a series of spectacular moments, including a direct-hit run-out and two outstanding catches.
Afghanistan elected to bowl first and initially placed a slip in position when Abhishek took strike in the opening over. However, after the Indian opener drove Fazalhaq Farooqi through the covers for four, the slip was removed.
From there, Afghanistan struggled to contain the left-hander. Omarzai bowled short in the second over, and Abhishek responded with a powerful pull that travelled 86 metres behind square. He then lofted Omarzai over the infield for a boundary before coming down the pitch to clear the cover region for six. The over yielded 17 runs.
Farooqi was taken apart in his next over, conceding 23 runs as Abhishek smashed him for two sixes and two fours.
Mohammad Nabi’s only over proved even more expensive. The veteran all-rounder conceded 29 runs, with Samson beginning the assault by hitting two consecutive sixes. Samson was later dropped on 22 by Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran at mid-off.
Abhishek, meanwhile, reached his half-century in only 16 balls with a six down the ground. He followed it with a boundary through the gap between cover and point before finishing the fifth over with another six over the straight boundary.
Rashid Khan, one of Afghanistan’s premier T20 bowlers, also struggled to contain the onslaught. Abhishek struck him for a boundary over extra cover before producing an inside-out shot and another six over wide mid-off. India completed the powerplay at 100/0.
The assault continued after the fielding restrictions ended. Ahmadzai and Mujeeb Ur Rahman were both targeted as Abhishek continued finding the boundary with remarkable consistency.
The landmark moment arrived in the ninth over. Abhishek drove Ahmadzai for a single to reach his century from just 30 balls. The achievement placed him among the fastest century-makers in T20I cricket and made him the fastest Indian men’s batter to score a T20I hundred.
Abhishek initially appeared unaware of the magnitude of the record. He removed his helmet and bandana before sitting down in a meditation pose to celebrate. His father, Rajkumar Sharma, watched from the stands, applauding and smiling proudly.
His extraordinary innings finally ended in the 10th over when Rashid bowled him with a googly from behind the stumps. The entire stadium rose to applaud the spectacular knock.
Rashid then played a decisive role in Afghanistan’s fightback. He effected a direct-hit run-out to dismiss Tilak Varma and later took a stunning catch at long-off to remove Samson off Omarzai.
Two overs later, Rashid produced another spectacular effort, running to his left at long-on and completing a diving catch over his head to dismiss Shivam Dube.
Afghanistan continued to make inroads as Rahmanullah Gurbaz ran out Ishan Kishan, while Ahmadzai, playing his first match of the series, struck again by having Nitish Kumar Reddy caught at deep midwicket.
India captain Shreyas Iyer was eventually run out for 29, but by then India had already moved beyond the 220-run mark.
Abhishek’s breathtaking assault remained the defining feature of the innings, as India finished with 221/7 and handed Afghanistan a formidable target in the series finale.
Brief Scores: India 221/7 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 108, Sanju Samson 50; Azmatullah Omarzai 2/27, Abdullah Ahmadzai 1/38) vs Afghanistan.
