Abhishek Sharma's Record Century, Bowlers Power India To Series Sweep Over Afghanistan

Opener Abhishek Sharma produced a record-breaking assault at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday, smashing the fastest T20I century by a batter from a Test-playing nation as India defeated Afghanistan by 127 runs to complete a 3-0 series sweep.

Abhishek reached his third T20I hundred in just 30 balls, surpassing Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball century against Sri Lanka in 2017 for the fastest by an Indian men’s batter. His effort is also the third-fastest century in men’s T20I cricket, behind Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan (27 balls) and Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad (29).

Abhishek eventually fell for a breathtaking 108 off 34 balls, hitting nine fours and 11 sixes at a strike rate of 317.65. He scored 102 runs through boundaries alone, powering India to 100/0 in the

six-over power play.

He shared a 142-run opening stand with Sanju Samson, who struck his second consecutive fifty of the series, making 50 off 35 balls. India eventually posted 221/7 despite losing four wickets in the final four overs.

Afghanistan’s chase began positively, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran putting on 15 runs in the opening over. But their innings quickly unravelled after Axar Patel dismissed Gurbaz with his first delivery.

Sediqullah Atal fell three balls later before Jasprit Bumrah yorked Darwish Rasooli and Yash Thakur removed Zadran, leaving Afghanistan four down inside the power play.

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravi Bishnoi then completed the rout, taking three wickets apiece as Afghanistan were bowled out for 94 in 14.1 overs. Reddy finished with 3-25, while Bishnoi returned 3-26.

Earlier, Afghanistan had initially attempted to contain Abhishek with a slip in place, but he quickly dismantled their plans. He smashed Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai for a succession of boundaries and sixes before reaching his fifty from only 16 balls.

Rashid Khan briefly halted the carnage by dismissing Abhishek in the 10th over, but by then the damage was done. Rashid also contributed with the ball and in the field, effecting a run-out and taking two spectacular catches.

Abhishek’s century was his third in T20Is and came after he had struck a fifty earlier in the series. His explosive innings ensured India crossed 220 despite scoring only 79 runs in the final 10 overs.

India’s 3-0 sweep follows their identical 3-0 series victory over Zimbabwe in July.

(With IANS Inputs)