Abhishek Sharma’s 30-Ball Century Seals India’s 3-0 Sweep Over Afghanistan
In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, Abhishek Sharma rewrote the record books by smashing the fastest T20I century for India, reaching the milestone in just 30 balls against Afghanistan. The left-hander’s blistering knock, which included 82 off 32 balls in an earlier match, left the Afghan bowlers with no answers. His century, the quickest among Test-playing nations, surpassed the previous Indian record held by Rohit Sharma. Reflecting on his approach, Abhishek had said a year ago, “If you play like this, there will be failures,” but he never mentioned what came after them—a statement that now resonates with his explosive success.
India’s dominance was further underscored in the third T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, where they crushed Afghanistan by 127 runs to complete a 3-0 series sweep. Sanju Samson continued his fine form with a second consecutive half-century, while Ishan Kishan partnered with Abhishek to obliterate Afghanistan’s total. The victory reaffirmed India’s supremacy over Afghanistan, as they remain the only Full Member nation that Afghanistan have never beaten in international cricket.
Beyond the cricket field, the match highlighted the longstanding bilateral ties between India and Afghanistan. Diplomatic relations date back to January 1950, when a five-year Treaty of Friendship was signed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Afghanistan’s then Ambassador to India, Mohammad Najibullah. Both nations share membership in regional partnerships like SAARC, reflecting their historic and friendly relations. While the cricketing contest was one-sided, the broader relationship continues to be an important pillar of regional cooperation.
Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, celebrations marked the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power, with security personnel displaying weapons and dancing in Kabul. These images serve as a stark reminder of the complex geopolitical landscape that often intersects with sports. Yet, for cricket fans, the spotlight remains on Abhishek Sharma’s phenomenal feat—a moment of pure sporting brilliance that will be remembered for years to come.
Shimanta Das 
