India Complete 3–0 Afghanistan T20i Sweep: Abhishek Sharma's Record Century

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India Complete 3–0 Afghanistan T20I Sweep After Abhishek Sharma Masterclass

India finished their Afghanistan T20I campaign in emphatic fashion, completing a 3–0 series sweep after a massive 127-run victory in the third and final match in New Delhi.

The highlight of the night was undoubtedly Abhishek Sharma, who produced one of the most explosive innings of his international career. The left-handed opener smashed 108 runs from just 34 deliveries, including a record-breaking century from 30 balls.

India posted 221/7 after being asked to bat first, before their bowlers dismissed Afghanistan for only 94 in 14.1 overs. The result gave India three wins from three matches and provided plenty of positives ahead of their upcoming Asian Games campaign.

Abhishek Sharma Steals the Show in New Delhi

The third T20I belonged to Abhishek Sharma.

After contributing 82 and 39 in the first two matches, the Indian opener produced an extraordinary display of power hitting in the series finale. He reached his half-century in only 16 deliveries before continuing his assault on the Afghanistan attack.

Abhishek ...
... completed his century from just 30 balls, setting a new record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian batter. He eventually finished with 108 from 34 balls, with nine fours and 11 sixes.

His 30-ball hundred was also the fastest T20I century in a match involving full Test-playing nations, according to reports following the game.

The remarkable innings took Abhishek's series tally to **229 runs in three matches**, making him one of the defining players of India's campaign.

## India Make a Flying Start With the Bat

India's opening partnership provided the foundation for another huge total.

Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson put together 142 runs for the opening wicket. While Abhishek attacked almost every Afghanistan bowler, Samson provided a more controlled contribution and eventually reached another half-century.

Samson scored 50 runs, continuing an encouraging return to form in the T20I format.

India raced to 100 inside the first six overs, putting Afghanistan under immediate pressure. Although wickets began to fall after Abhishek's dismissal, India still managed to reach 221/7 from their 20 overs.

The opening partnership was particularly important because it allowed India to establish a commanding position before Afghanistan's bowlers fought back during the middle and closing overs.

## Sanju Samson Continues His Strong Comeback

Sanju Samson entered the Afghanistan series with questions surrounding his recent T20I form.

He answered those questions with three productive performances.

The wicketkeeper-batter accumulated 117 runs across the three matches, including two half-centuries. His consistency gave India another dependable option at the top of the batting order.

His 50 in the third T20I was particularly useful because it allowed Abhishek to play with maximum freedom at the opposite end.

With India's T20I side continuing to develop its batting combinations, Samson's recent performances could become an important part of the selection conversation going forward.

Afghanistan Collapse Under India's Bowling Pressure

If Abhishek's batting set up the victory, India's bowlers completed the job.

Afghanistan never looked comfortable during the chase. Early wickets prevented them from building the kind of partnership required to chase 222.

Axar Patel made an immediate impact, taking two wickets in his first over and putting Afghanistan on the back foot.

Nitish Kumar Reddy then delivered another important spell, finishing with 3/25. Ravi Bishnoi also claimed three wickets as Afghanistan were bowled out for just 94 in 14.1 overs.

The final margin of **127 runs** reflected India's control of the match from start to finish.

Nitish Kumar Reddy Provides Another Major Positive

Nitish Kumar Reddy was one of the quieter success stories of the Afghanistan series.

His all-round ability gives India an additional option in the middle order and with the ball. Across the three matches, he claimed **six wickets at an average of 13.16**, according to the Indian Express' series assessment.

His three-wicket performance in the final T20I further demonstrated his ability to make an impact when India need breakthroughs.

For India's team management, having a player who can contribute meaningfully in both departments adds flexibility to T20I combinations.

Jasprit Bumrah Finds Rhythm

Another important development was the return of Jasprit Bumrah to competitive T20I action.

After recovering from a knee injury, Bumrah featured during the Afghanistan series and gradually regained his rhythm.

He finished the three-match series with three wickets and an economy rate of 6.70, according to the Indian Express.

For India, Bumrah's presence provides experience and control at the death, while his return also gives the team's bowling attack greater balance.

The Afghanistan series therefore served as an important competitive preparation period for one of India's most important fast bowlers.

Abhishek's Record Adds Another Chapter to India's T20I Batting Story

Abhishek's century was not simply another hundred.

The 30-ball effort became another major milestone in his rapidly developing T20I career.

He had already scored a 37-ball century against England in Mumbai last year. His latest hundred made him the first batter in T20I history to score two centuries in fewer than 40 balls, according to India Today.

His latest innings also contained 20 boundaries — nine fours and 11 sixes — meaning the overwhelming majority of his runs came from attacking shots.

That level of aggression has become one of the defining features of Abhishek's T20 batting.

Afghanistan Struggle to Match India's Batting Firepower

Afghanistan had opportunities during the series but struggled to produce the batting consistency required against India.

In the first two matches, Afghanistan posted totals of 156/8 and 159/8 before India successfully chased them down. In the third game, their batting performance was even more difficult as they were dismissed for 94.

India's bowling attack consistently created pressure, while Afghanistan were unable to establish long partnerships.

The series therefore ended with a comprehensive 3–0 scoreline in India's favour.

What India Take From the Afghanistan Series

The clean sweep provides several important positives for India.

Abhishek Sharma has regained his explosive touch, Sanju Samson has produced consistent runs, Nitish Kumar Reddy has demonstrated his value as an all-round option and Bumrah has returned to T20I cricket with encouraging numbers.

The series also provided valuable match experience for India's wider squad.

Perhaps most importantly, India demonstrated that their T20I approach can combine aggressive batting with a varied bowling attack.

The 3–0 result was not based on one individual alone, even though Abhishek's extraordinary century dominated the headlines.

India Now Turn Attention to the Asian Games

With the Afghanistan series complete, India's focus now shifts toward the Asian Games in Japan.

India are scheduled to travel to Nagoya-Aichi, with the cricket competition forming part of the country's wider Asian Games campaign.

The momentum generated by the Afghanistan series gives India's players a positive platform heading into the next assignment.

For younger players, the Asian Games can also provide another opportunity to gain international experience and strengthen their claims for future selection.

India vs Afghanistan 3rd T20I: Key Numbers

Here are the major figures from the series finale:

* India: 221/7 in 20 overs
* Afghanistan: 94 all out in 14.1 overs
* India's winning margin: 127 runs
* Series result: India won 3–0
* Abhishek Sharma: 108 off 34 balls
* Abhishek Sharma's century: 30 balls
* Sanju Samson: 50
* Nitish Kumar Reddy: 3/25
* Ravi Bishnoi: 3 wickets
* Abhishek Sharma's series runs: 229

Final Word

India's 3–0 Afghanistan T20I series sweep was a strong all-round performance, but the third match will be remembered primarily for Abhishek Sharma's extraordinary batting.

His 108 from 34 balls, including a record 30-ball century, gave India the perfect platform before the bowlers completed a 127-run victory.

Sanju Samson's consistency, Nitish Kumar Reddy's all-round contribution and Jasprit Bumrah's return added further positives to India's campaign.

For Afghanistan, the series exposed areas that will need attention, particularly with the bat.

For India, the focus now moves forward. The Afghanistan series has ended with three wins, plenty of individual milestones and growing momentum as the team prepares for its next challenge.

India's 3–0 sweep has provided plenty of headlines — but Abhishek Sharma's record-breaking night in New Delhi is the story that will remain at the centre of them all.

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