New Delhi, September 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
It took Abhishek Sharma barely a few deliveries to turn the third T20I against Afghanistan into a one-man exhibition of power hitting.
At the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday, the India opener smashed 108 off just 34 balls, including 11 sixes and nine fours, as India posted 221/7 and completed a 3-0 series sweep with a 127-run victory.
Abhishek’s assault produced several records. He reached his century in 30 balls, the fastest T20I hundred by an Indian batter and the quickest by a batter from a Full Member nation. His 50 came from just 16 deliveries, marking the sixth time he has reached a T20I half-century in 20 balls or fewer.
The onslaught began after a quiet first delivery against Fazalhaq Farooqi. A half-volley on the next ball was lofted over extra cover, setting the tone for an extraordinary 50-minute stay.
Azmatullah Omarzai was pulled for six before Abhishek repeatedly cleared the boundary against both pace and spin. Mohammad Nabi’s off-spin came under particular pressure as the opener raced to his half-century.
Abhishek’s powerplay was even more remarkable. He made 76 not out from 22 balls in the first six overs, while India reached 100/0 — their highest six-over score in T20Is. The 100 was also the first time India had crossed the century mark in a T20I powerplay during head coach Gautam Gambhir’s tenure.
The opener reached three figures in the ninth over before falling in the 10th, attempting to hit a Rashid Khan googly out of the ground and edging behind to Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Of his 108 runs, 102 came in boundaries, accounting for 94.44 per cent of his score. It was also his third T20I century and 10th in T20 cricket, putting him level with Virat Kohli for the most T20 hundreds by an Indian men’s batter.
His celebration was as distinctive as his innings. After discovering from Sanju Samson that he had reached his century, Abhishek raised his bat and helmet before sitting on the turf and meditating with his eyes closed, chanting “Om Namah Shivaye”.
The innings also came at an important stage in Abhishek’s recent run. He had endured a difficult T20 World Cup campaign, followed by scores of 1, 8 and 2 against Zimbabwe, while competition for India’s opening slots had intensified.
After a half-century in the series opener against Afghanistan, however, the 108 in Delhi provided a decisive response.
India’s remaining batters contributed 112 runs from 86 balls, but Abhishek’s early assault had already taken the game away from Afghanistan.
Gambhir said the significance of the innings went beyond the century, pointing to India’s powerplay score as the biggest takeaway.
“It’s not about the hundred that he scored here. It’s just the impact,” Gambhir said after the match.
He said India’s focus over the past two years had been on creating maximum impact with both bat and ball rather than concentrating solely on runs or wickets.
Gambhir also suggested that India’s next ambition should be to push towards a 300-run total in T20Is, given the batting talent available in the squad.
On Thursday, Abhishek’s breathtaking assault showed just how high India’s attacking approach can take them.
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