Abhishek Sharma hits 30-ball century as India beat Afghanistan by 127 runs
India opener Abhishek Sharma recorded the fastest Twenty20 International century by a batter from a full-member nation, reaching 100 off 30 balls as India thrashed Afghanistan by 127 runs in Delhi on Thursday, September 17, 2026, to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
The 26-year-old finished unbeaten on 108 off 34 balls, striking nine fours and 11 sixes before being dismissed by Rashid Khan. Fellow opener and wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson contributed 50 off 35 deliveries as India posted 221-7 after Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bowl. Abhishek’s 30-ball hundred bettered the previous India record of a 35-ball century by Rohit Sharma against Sri Lanka in 2017.
Afghanistan’s chase faltered early as the visitors slumped to 47-4. They were eventually bowled out for 94 in 14.1 overs. Captain Ibrahim Zadran was the only Afghanistan batter to cross 20, making 25.
India all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and spinner Ravi Bishnoi each claimed three wickets to dismantle the Afghan batting lineup. Rashid Khan accounted for Abhishek’s wicket after the century. The combined bowling effort kept the tourists well short of the target.
“I feel it's all dependent on my process before every series,” Abhishek said. “It's very particular for me, against who I play and their bowlers, how I'm going to utilise the powerplay... The way I play, it's very important for the captain and the coach to be on your side. You have to get surety. I feel this is because of them as well... It's very simple from day one. I just want to express myself. Just see the ball and hit the ball. You can't be sure you'll be doing well all the time, but the culture we've developed in our team is to dominate, and it's been going well so far.”
India had already secured the series with a seven-wicket victory in the second T20 on Tuesday (September 15, 2026), having opened the contest with another seven-wicket win on Sunday. The Delhi result followed those two convincing victories earlier in the week. The trio of wins produced the clean sweep against Afghanistan.
“Definitely disappointed,” Zadran said. “We improved a little bit in the powerplay. Totally happy with the intent... Yes, we will struggle a little bit in one or two series, but with time we will improve. If we don't have intent, it is really hard to beat international teams. We need to play more games and more series, especially against the biggest teams. That's how we can improve.”
India next face Japan in a one-off T20 on September 22 before beginning their Asian Games campaign at the quarter-final stage six days later.