Archive · 18 Sep 2026
India Sweep Afghanistan as Pressure Shapes T20I Performances
India played Afghanistan in a three-match T20I cricket series.
India won all three matches.
Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson were under pressure because a talented 15-year-old, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, was waiting for a chance.
The team kept both openers in the playing XI.
Samson scored two fifties after making only 10 runs in the first match.
Abhishek scored 108 runs in the final match.
He reached his century in only 30 balls, the fastest by an Indian in T20I cricket.
India handled pressure by adapting and playing aggressively.
Afghanistan had talented players but struggled to change their plans and avoid important mistakes.
India defeated Afghanistan 3-0 in their three-match T20I series in September 2026.
Abhishek Sharma scored 108 from 34 balls in the third T20I and won Player of the Series.
Abhishek broke the record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian, reaching 100 in 30 balls.
Sanju Samson responded to a 10-run opening game with consecutive half-centuries.
Afghanistan’s rigid bowling plans, limited adaptation and costly batting mistakes repeatedly hurt them.
- Who
- India and Afghanistan, with India’s Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson central to the series.
- What
- India won the three-match T20I series 3-0, while Abhishek Sharma set the record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian.
- When
- The series was played in September 2026, with the third T20I on September 17 and the report published September 18.
- Where
- The series was played at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
- Why
- India retained its World Cup combination and handled pressure more effectively, while Afghanistan struggled to adapt its bowling and avoid costly batting errors.
India’s pressure response
Afghanistan’s pressure response
Handling scrutiny
India’s pressure response
India retained Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson despite questions about their places, and both responded with strong performances.
Afghanistan’s pressure response
Afghanistan’s talent was not enough to overcome repeated decision-making problems under pressure.
Adapting during matches
India’s pressure response
India converted pressure into aggressive, match-winning performances, including Abhishek Sharma’s record century.
Afghanistan’s pressure response
Afghanistan’s bowling plans appeared rigid, while its batters repeatedly gave away wickets at important moments.
- Series result
- India won the T20I series 3-0.
- Abhishek Sharma’s third-match score
- 108 runs from 34 balls.
- Fastest Indian T20I century
- Abhishek Sharma reached 100 in 30 balls.
- Sanju Samson’s response
- He scored consecutive fifties after making 10 runs in the series opener.
- Player of the Series
- Abhishek Sharma.
- Selection pressure
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, aged 15, was waiting for an opportunity.
- Coach’s explanation
- Gautam Gambhir said India wanted to retain the combination used for the World Cup.