Abhishek’s explosive hundred powers India past Afghanistan in series finale
Abhishek Sharma struck India’s fastest T20I century as India defeated Afghanistan by 127 runs, completing a 3-0 series sweep after the visitors were bowled out for 94.
2026-09-17
Abhishek Sharma’s record-breaking century set up India’s emphatic 127-run victory over Afghanistan in the third T20I, allowing the hosts to complete a 3-0 series sweep. India posted 221 before Afghanistan were dismissed for 94 in the 15th over.
Sharma reached his hundred from only 30 balls during a breathtaking opening assault. It was the fastest T20I century by an Indian batter and the third-fastest in the format overall. He brought up his first 50 from 16 deliveries and struck 11 sixes before Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan ended his innings for 108, one ball before the halfway point of India’s innings.
The opener had already made 82 and 39 in the first two matches, and his final innings of the series continued a prolific campaign at the top of India’s order. Sanju Samson also produced a second successive half-century, scoring 50 after sharing a century stand with Sharma during the powerplay. The pair’s 100 runs in the first six overs marked India’s best team total in that phase of a T20I.
Afghanistan’s bowlers regained some control after the opening partnership was broken. From 164 for two in the 13th over, India added 57 runs in the remaining seven overs, with three run-outs contributing to the slowdown. Azmatullah Omarzai was Afghanistan’s most successful bowler, taking two wickets for 27 runs.
Afghanistan began the chase positively, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran adding 31 runs in the first three overs. Axar Patel changed the momentum by removing both batters in the fourth over, before Jasprit Bumrah and Yash Thakur struck in successive overs. As the required rate increased, Afghanistan lost wickets rapidly, with Nitish Kumar Reddy claiming three wickets in five balls during the 12th over. Ravi Bishnoi also took three wickets, finishing with three for 26, while Nitish ended with three for 25.
The series also highlighted the selection competition around India’s opening combination. Sharma and Samson were Gambhir’s preferred pair throughout the contest and finished as the leading run-scorers across both teams. Teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi watched from the sidelines, with coach Gautam Gambhir saying he would need to wait for his opportunity while the more experienced pair continued to perform.
India and Afghanistan will next travel to Japan for the men’s cricket tournament at the Asian Games. Before that event, India are scheduled to play Japan in a one-off T20I on September 22.