Full Breakdown
Abhishek Sharma's 30-Ball Century Powers India to 127-Run Victory Over Afghanistan
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Core Event: Record-breaking T20I Hundred and Series Sweep
On Thursday, India faced Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi in the third and final match of a three-match T20 International series. India posted 221-7 in their 20-over innings, propelled by opener Abhishek Sharma’s 108 off 34 balls. Sharma reached his century in just 30 deliveries—the fastest T20I hundred by a batter from a Test-playing nation and the third-fastest overall—hitting nine fours and eleven sixes. He shared a 142-run opening partnership with Sanju Samson, who contributed 50 runs from 35 balls. Afghanistan were bowled out for 94 in 14.1 overs, giving India a 127-run win and completing a 3-0 series sweep. Sharma was dismissed in the tenth over, caught behind off leg-spinner Rashid Khan.
Background & Context
The series was a unique arrangement in which Afghanistan hosted the matches on Indian soil. India entered the third match with a 2-0 lead, having won the first two games by seven wickets each. In the opening T20I, India chased 156 to win by seven wickets (157/3). The second match saw India post 163/3 and restrict Afghanistan to 159/8, again winning by seven wickets. The decisive third game therefore offered India the chance to close the series with a clean sweep.
Data & Statistics
- India total: 221/7 (20 overs)
- Afghanistan total: 94 all out (14.1 overs) – margin 127 runs
- Abhishek Sharma: 108 runs, 34 balls, 9 fours, 11 sixes; 96 runs came from boundaries; 30-ball century (fastest by a Test-playing nation)
- Sanju Samson: 50 runs, 35 balls (2 fours, 4 sixes)
- Key bowlers (India): Nitish Kumar Reddy 3/25, Ravi Bishnoi 3/26, Axar Patel 2/9
- Afghanistan top scorer: Ibrahim Zadran 25 runs (16 balls)
- Record context: The only faster centuries were by Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan (27 balls) and Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad (29 balls). Sharma’s 30-ball effort is the quickest among full-member nations, surpassing Rohit Sharma’s previous Indian record of 35 balls (2017).
Official Statements & Responses
India head coach Gautam Gambhir praised Sharma’s innings, describing it as a “masterclass” that gave the team a decisive advantage. The BCCI confirmed that the victory solidifies India’s dominant position heading into upcoming international commitments. Afghanistan’s camp noted that a largely different squad will represent the nation at the Asian Games under captain Darwish Rasooli.
Impact & Significance
The win not only secured a clean series sweep but also highlighted Sharma’s emergence as a premier T20 opener capable of explosive powerplay scoring. The record-breaking century underscored India’s depth in batting firepower and reinforced their status as favorites for forthcoming T20 tournaments. The performance also demonstrated the effectiveness of India’s bowling unit, which restricted Afghanistan to a sub-100 total for the second time in the series.
What’s Next
India’s next T20 engagements include a series against the West Indies and participation in the Asian Games, which commence on September 19 in Nagoya-Aichi, Japan. Afghanistan will field a re-structured team for the Asian Games under the leadership of Darwish Rasooli.