Abhishek Sharma produced one of the most breathtaking innings in T20 international cricket on Thursday, smashing 108 off just 34 balls against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
The left-handed opener reached his century in only 30 deliveries — the fastest T20I hundred ever by a batter from a full-member nation — before walking off to a standing ovation.
India, already 2-0 up in the series, were sent in to bat after Afghanistan won the toss. What followed was a powerplay demolition. Sharma raced to fifty in 16 balls and then needed only 14 more to bring up three figures. By the time he was dismissed in the 10th over, he had struck nine fours and 11 sixes at a strike rate of 317.65. India were 142 for 1 at that point.
The knock eclipsed Rohit Sharma’s previous Indian record of a 35-ball century against Sri Lanka in 2017. It also stands as the third-fastest T20I hundred overall. Sharma targeted both pace and spin with equal ferocity, taking Mohammad Nabi and Fazalhaq Farooqi apart early before launching Rashid Khan for a six to reach his hundred. After getting there, he sat on the pitch in a brief meditation pose — a calm moment amid the chaos.
Sanju Samson provided solid support at the other end as India piled on runs at a furious rate. The innings has already entered the record books as one of the most dominant opening displays in recent T20I history. Afghanistan’s attack, featuring Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nabi, had no answers to Sharma’s clean striking.
This was Sharma’s third T20I century and another reminder of why he has become one of India’s most feared white-ball openers. The series whitewash remains very much on the cards after this explosive start.
