Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Abhishek Sharma’s Record Knock Seals India’s T20I Sweep
Abhishek Sharma hit the cricket ball extremely well for India.
He scored 108 runs from only 34 balls against Afghanistan.
Reports disagree about whether he reached 100 runs in 30 or 31 balls.
Either way, the innings was described as a record for a full-member T20I match.
India made 221 runs and then bowled Afghanistan out for 94.
India won by 127 runs and swept the three-match series.
Sharma said careful preparation and support from his captain and coach helped him play freely.
He also said Suryakumar Yadav helped establish the team’s fearless batting approach.
Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran said his team needs more games against top opponents to get better.
Abhishek Sharma scored 108 runs from 34 balls, including 11 sixes and nine fours, against Afghanistan.
Reports differ on whether Sharma’s century came in 30 or 31 balls; all describe it as a full-member T20I record.
India posted 221 for seven and dismissed Afghanistan for 94 to win by 127 runs and complete a 3-0 sweep.
Sharma credited preparation, team support, and an aggressive philosophy shaped during Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy.
Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran said his team needs more matches, especially against the strongest international sides, to improve.
- Who
- India opener Abhishek Sharma starred, while India captain Shreyas Iyer and Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran gave post-match comments.
- What
- India defeated Afghanistan by 127 runs in the third T20I, completing a 3-0 series sweep after Sharma scored 108 off 34 balls.
- When
- The match was played on Thursday, September 18, according to one report.
- Where
- The third T20I took place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- India sought to maintain an aggressive batting approach before the next T20 World Cup, while Afghanistan said it needs more exposure to top international teams.
India’s Perspective
Afghanistan’s Perspective
Path to improvement
India’s Perspective
Abhishek Sharma said India’s batting culture emphasizes dominance, fearless play, detailed preparation, and backing players through difficult series before the T20 World Cup.
Afghanistan’s Perspective
Ibrahim Zadran said Afghanistan needs more matches and series, particularly against the strongest international teams, to raise its level.
Handling setbacks
India’s Perspective
Sharma said one or two poor series should not define India’s batting department and stressed team unity and support.
Afghanistan’s Perspective
Zadran acknowledged Afghanistan may struggle in some series but said intent and greater international exposure are necessary to beat leading teams.
- Match result
- India defeated Afghanistan by 127 runs and won the series 3-0.
- India’s total
- India scored 221 for seven after batting first.
- Afghanistan’s total
- Afghanistan was bowled out for 94 in 14.1 overs.
- Sharma’s innings
- Abhishek Sharma made 108 from 34 balls, hitting 11 sixes and nine fours.
- Century record
- Reports variously list Sharma’s century as coming in 30 or 31 balls; they describe it as the fastest T20I century involving full-member teams.
- Series performance
- Sharma scored 229 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 269.41.
- Bowling contributions
- Ravi Bishnoi and Nitish Kumar Reddy took three wickets each; the defeat was Afghanistan’s heaviest in T20Is, according to one report.
