Abhishek Sharma breaks Rohit's record with fastest Indian T20I century in 30 balls

India Post Massive 205/5 Against Afghanistan as Abhishek Sharma Rewrites Record Books with Blistering 30-Ball Century

India accumulated 205 runs for the loss of five wickets in 17.5 overs during the third T20 International against Afghanistan, with Shreyas Iyer remaining at the crease when the innings concluded. The innings was anchored by a record-breaking performance from Abhishek Sharma, who demolished the record for the fastest T20 International century by an Indian batsman.

Abhishek Sharma Shatters Rohit's Record

Abhishek Sharma became the fastest Indian to score a T20 International century, reaching three figures in just 30 balls against Afghanistan. His innings dismantled the previous record held by Rohit Sharma, who had scored a century off 35 balls against Sri Lanka at Indore in 2017.

The left-handed opener's explosive knock ended at 108 runs from 34 deliveries before Rashid Khan dismissed him. His innings included nine fours and 11 sixes, compiled at a strike rate of 317.65. Abhishek completed his third T20 International century in the ninth over, specifically at 8.3 overs, when he took a single after reaching 99 to bring up the milestone.

After completing the century, Abhishek removed his helmet and celebrated by sitting on the field in a meditative pose. With this achievement, he became the fastest batsman from a Test-playing nation to score a T20 International hundred.

Samson's Fifty Complements Explosive Start

Sanju Samson contributed a half-century to India's commanding total, scoring 50 runs from 35 balls before Ajmatullah Umarzai sent him back to the pavilion. His innings featured two fours and four sixes. Samson reached his fifty in the 13th over, at 12.4 overs, by taking a single, marking his second consecutive T20 International half-century.

The opening partnership between Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson added 142 runs for the first wicket off 59 balls. This aggressive start laid the foundation for India's imposing total and set the tone for the innings from the outset.

Historic Powerplay Achievement

India registered their highest-ever powerplay score in T20 International cricket during this match, reaching 100 runs without losing a wicket in the first six overs. After six overs, the score stood at 100 for no loss, with Abhishek on 76 runs from 22 balls and Sanju Samson on 24 runs from 14 balls.

India crossed the 100-run mark in the powerplay for the first time in their T20 International history. This achievement underscored the aggressive intent and execution displayed by the opening pair during the initial phase of the innings.

Mohammed Nabi's Expensive Over

Mohammed Nabi's over proved particularly costly for Afghanistan, as India plundered 29 runs from it. Sanju Samson began the assault by hitting consecutive sixes off the first two deliveries, while Abhishek Sharma added two sixes and one four during the same over. Abhishek reached his fifty off just 16 balls with one of the sixes in this over.

The over also witnessed a reprieve for Samson at 4.3 overs, when he could have been caught at mid-off, but Ibrahim Zadran failed to hold onto the ball. With that escape, Samson also completed 9,000 runs in T20 cricket.

Early Onslaught and Acceleration

After five overs, India's score stood at 85 without loss. In Fazalhaq Farooqi's third over, Abhishek Sharma accumulated 23 runs by hitting two sixes and two fours, while Samson contributed one run.

Following three overs, India had reached 45 for no loss, with Abhishek already on 42 runs from just 13 balls. He struck two sixes and one four off Ajmatullah Umarzai's over, which yielded a total of 17 runs.

After two overs, India's score was 22 without loss, with Abhishek having raced to 20 runs from eight balls. The first over yielded five runs, and Abhishek hit a four over extra cover off Fazalhaq Farooqi's fifth delivery.

Middle-Order Contributions and Dismissals

Rashid Khan provided Afghanistan with their first breakthrough in the 10th over, specifically at 9.5 overs, when he dismissed Abhishek Sharma after his monumental 108-run knock.

Tilak Varma fell victim to a run-out engineered by Rashid Khan at 11.1 overs. Tilak played a leg-break toward the bowler's left side, but Rashid quickly collected the ball and threw directly at the non-striker's end. Tilak departed after scoring just 2 runs from 5 balls.

Ajmatullah Umarzai dismissed Sanju Samson at 13.1 overs. Samson attempted to loft a length delivery over long off, but the shot went straight into Rashid Khan's hands at the boundary.

Late Acceleration and Final Wicket

Shreyas Iyer and Shivam Dube pushed India past the 180-run mark during their partnership. In Rashid Khan's 15th over, India collected 17 runs. Shivam Dube struck one six and one four in the over, while Shreyas Iyer launched a six off the final ball. After 15 overs, India's score stood at 184 for three wickets. Iyer was on 11 runs from 8 balls and Dube on 13 runs from 8 balls at that stage.

Ajmatullah Umarzai claimed Shivam Dube's wicket at 15.3 overs, delivering Afghanistan their fourth blow. Dube attempted to clear long on, but Rashid Khan ran a long distance, dived full-length, and plucked the catch in mid-air. Dube's innings ended at 14 runs from 10 balls, which included one four and one six.

Rashid Khan bowled four overs, conceding 43 runs and taking one wicket.

Crossing 200 and Final Tally

India reached the 200-run mark in the 17th over. After 16.6 overs, the team's score stood at 201 for four wickets. Shreyas Iyer was batting on 17 runs from 12 balls and Ishan Kishan on 8 runs from 6 balls. At 16.6 overs, Iyer struck a full toss toward wide long on for three runs. A misfield by Rashid Khan in the deep allowed India to cross the 200-run threshold.

India's final total reached 205 for five wickets in 17.5 overs.

Team Composition and Playing XI

India's playing eleven comprised Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Yash Thakur, and Jasprit Bumrah. Indian captain Shreyas Iyer revealed that Yash Thakur was included in the playing eleven in place of Arshdeep Singh. Iyer mentioned that had he won the toss, he too would have preferred to bat first.

Afghanistan fielded the following eleven: Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Darwish Rasooli, Noor-ul-Rahman, Ajmatullah Umarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Match Venue and Conditions

The India-Afghanistan contest was played on the same pitch number 6 that hosted the first T20 International. The square boundaries were not equal in length, one side measured 67 metres and the other 60 metres, while the straight boundary was 69 metres long.

The pitch at Arun Jaitley Stadium was expected to be helpful for batsmen. Due to the short boundaries at the venue, big shots were anticipated. There was no expectation of rain.

Series Context and Pre-Match Statistics

Abhishek Sharma entered this match as the top scorer of the series, having accumulated 121 runs in two matches at a strike rate of 237.25. He had scored 82 runs in the first match and 39 runs in the second.

Among bowlers, Arshdeep Singh had taken five wickets in two matches with an economy rate of 6.75. Apart from Arshdeep, the team also expected wickets from Jasprit Bumrah.

For Afghanistan, Naveen-ul-Haq's fitness was crucial for the third T20 International. Fazalhaq Farooqi had not bowled with the new ball in the second match, raising the possibility of Naveen's return. Afghanistan possessed three spin bowling options in Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi. The team could consider reducing one spinner and playing an additional fast bowler.

Ajmatullah Umarzai had scored 75 runs in two matches with a strike rate of 138.88 and a best score of 64 not out. In the bowling department, expectations rested once again on Rashid Khan, who had taken three wickets in two matches. However, he had been expensive, conceding runs at an economy rate of 9.33.

Rashid Khan came into this match needing four wickets to reach 200 T20 International wickets. If he achieved this milestone, he would become the first cricketer in men's or women's cricket to reach that mark. He had taken 196 wickets in 117 matches.

Head-to-Head Record

Eleven T20 International matches had been played between the two teams prior to this contest. India had won 10 of those encounters. Afghanistan had not secured a single victory, while one match produced no result.