New Delhi: Abhishek Sharma produced a stunning record-breaking innings as India defeated Afghanistan by 127 runs in the third T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday, completing a 3-0 series sweep. The left-handed opener smashed a century from just 30 balls, recording the fastest T20I hundred in a match between full-member Test-playing nations.
Abhishek eventually scored 108 off 34 deliveries, with nine fours and 11 sixes, setting the platform for India to post 221/7 in 20 overs. Afghanistan, chasing a daunting target, were bowled out for 94 in 14.1 overs as India’s bowlers completed a dominant finish to the series.
Abhishek Sharma breaks major T20I record
India were invited to bat first and Abhishek immediately attacked the Afghanistan bowling attack. He raced to his century in only 30 deliveries, surpassing the previous record for the fastest T20I hundred involving two full-member nations.
Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza and New Zealand’s Finn Allen had earlier reached their centuries in 33 balls. Raza achieved the feat against Gambia in 2024, while Allen scored his 33-ball century against South Africa during the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Abhishek’s effort was the third-fastest century overall in men’s T20 internationals. The two quicker centuries came in matches involving associate nations. Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan holds the overall record with a 27-ball hundred against Cyprus, while Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad scored a century from 29 balls against Bulgaria in 2025.
The century was also Abhishek’s third in T20 internationals, further underlining his growing importance at the top of India’s batting order.
India race to 142 before Afghanistan fight back
Abhishek’s aggressive approach put India firmly in control during the first half of the innings. He and Sanju Samson added 142 runs for the opening wicket, with Samson contributing 50.
India crossed the 100-run mark inside six overs as the opening pair repeatedly found the boundary. Abhishek reached his century with a single after hitting a six to move to 99. He then celebrated by sitting in a meditation pose.
His innings finally ended when Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan dismissed him for 108. Despite his departure, Abhishek had already given India a strong platform.
Afghanistan then began to regain control with regular wickets. Tilak Varma was run out for two, while Samson fell after completing his second consecutive half-century. Azmatullah Omarzai also dismissed Shivam Dube for 14, with Rashid taking a spectacular catch in the deep.
India eventually finished at 221/7, scoring 79 runs in the final 10 overs after reaching 142/1 at the halfway stage.
Afghanistan collapse under Indian bowling attack
Afghanistan’s chase never gained momentum. Their innings suffered an early setback when Axar Patel struck twice in his first over.
The left-arm spinner dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 15 and Sediqullah Atal for one, leaving Afghanistan under pressure almost immediately.
Nitish Kumar Reddy then strengthened India’s grip on the contest by claiming three wickets for 25 runs. His spell prevented Afghanistan from building any significant partnership.
Ravi Bishnoi completed the job with his third wicket of the innings as Afghanistan were bowled out for 94 in 14.1 overs.
The 127-run victory was India’s biggest win of the series and completed a clean sweep after the team had won the opening two matches by seven wickets each. Afghanistan had managed scores of 156/8 and 159/8 in the first two games but could not repeat those totals in the final match.
India complete dominant series
India’s three-match series was wrapped up without a defeat. The team won the first two matches while chasing before producing a comprehensive performance with both bat and ball in the final game.
The series also provided Abhishek with another major landmark in his rapidly developing T20I career. His 30-ball century not only broke the previous record among full-member nations but also helped India recover from a middle-order slowdown to post a total beyond 220.
Sanju Samson’s successive half-centuries also added stability at the top of the order, while the bowling unit delivered another disciplined performance in the final match.
India turn attention to Asian Games
Following the T20I series, India’s focus now shifts to the Asian Games in Japan, with the cricket competition scheduled to begin from September 19. India are set to continue their campaign in Nagoya-Aichi after the Afghanistan series.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, will field a largely different squad at the Asian Games under captain Darwish Rasooli. The changes reflect the separate squads being used for the continental competition.
For India, the 3-0 sweep provides a strong finish to the Afghanistan assignment, with Abhishek’s record-breaking century emerging as the defining moment of the series.