Abhishek Sharma produced a record-breaking assault in Delhi as India crushed Afghanistan by 127 runs in the third T20I on Thursday to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
The left-handed opener smashed 108 from just 34 balls, reaching his century in 30 deliveries to register the fastest T20I hundred by an Indian batter. It was also the fastest century by a batter from a Full Member nation and the third-fastest overall in men’s T20Is.
Abhishek broke Rohit Sharma’s previous Indian record of a 35-ball century, set against Sri Lanka in 2017. Only Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan, with a 27-ball hundred, and Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad, with 29, have reached three figures faster in men’s T20Is.
He raced to his fifty in 16 balls before accelerating further. His 76 not out from 22 balls in the powerplay was the highest individual score in the first six overs of a men’s T20I. He eventually struck nine fours and 11 sixes before Rashid Khan ended his spectacular innings in the 10th over.
Abhishek’s onslaught helped India reach 221-7 after Sanju Samson added 50 from 35 balls. The opening pair put on 142 runs, with India scoring 100 in the powerplay.
Afghanistan never came close to the target. Ibrahim Zadran top-scored with 25 before the innings collapsed to 94 in 14.1 overs. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravi Bishnoi claimed three wickets each, while Axar Patel took two as India completed a 127-run victory.
The result completed India’s clean sweep after they had won the opening two matches by seven wickets each. Abhishek had already made 82 and 39 in those games, and his latest display capped a dominant series for the opener.
