Abhishek Sharma’s 34-ball 108 powers India to 127-run win over Afghanistan in third T20I

Abhishek Sharma scored a 34-ball 108 as India beat Afghanistan by 127 runs in the third T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday, completing a 3-0 series sweep. India posted 221 for seven after a dominant opening stand, and Afghanistan were dismissed for 94 in reply.

Abhishek, the 26-year-old opener, struck nine fours and 11 sixes during his innings; his century came in 30 balls — the fastest against a Test-playing nation and the third-quickest in T20 internationals — before he finished on 108 from 34 deliveries. Sanju Samson contributed 50 off 35 balls, and the pair put on 142 for the first wicket in 9.5 overs as India raced to 100 for none.

Abhishek began his assault early in the innings against Azmatullah Omarzai, opening with a maximum swivelled and pulled beyond deep square-leg in the second over. In the same over he pulled a forehand slap past mid-on for four and, two deliveries later, made room to slash a back-of-a-length ball over cover for six.

Fazalhaq Farooqi’s next over went for 23 runs as Abhishek produced a sequence of 6, 6, 4, 4 to accelerate the scoring. Afghanistan turned to spin soon after; Mohammad Nabi conceded 29 runs in one over as the openers continued to dominate, and Rashid Khan gave away 15 in the final over of the PowerPlay.

Samson, who had scored three off his first seven balls, joined the six-hitting as well, including a loft over long-on off Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the fourth over. By the end of the PowerPlay India had reached three figures without loss, building the platform for a big total.

In Afghanistan’s chase, Nitish Kumar struck thrice in an over while Ravi Bishnoi also provided three breakthroughs as the visitors collapsed to 94 all out. The combination of the quick runs up front and the wickets in the middle overs produced the 127-run margin.

Abhishek’s arrival at three figures in the ninth over was marked by an unhurried celebration: he removed his helmet, sat down and soaked in the moment with a meditative pose.

The result sealed a 3-0 series sweep for India after the third T20I victory at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.