A ruthless all-round display guided India to a commanding 127-run victory over Afghanistan in the third Twenty20 International, sealing a comprehensive 3-0 sweep in the bilateral series. The victory marks the biggest winning margin by runs recorded by any team against Afghanistan in the history of the T20 format. For Afghanistan, this heavy defeat replaces their previous worst margin of 116 runs, which came against England back in 2012.
Asked to take first strike, India mounted an imposing total of 221 for 7 across their 20 overs, driven by a record-shattering century from Abhishek Sharma and a fluent half-century from Sanju Samson. In reply, the steep target of 222 proved entirely beyond Afghanistan's reach. Faced with relentless bowling, their entire lineup crumbled within 14.1 overs, folding for a paltry 94 runs and handing India an absolute masterclass in dominance.
Abhishek Sharma Shatters Records with 30-Ball Hundred
Abhishek Sharma launched into Afghanistan's bowling unit right from the opening delivery, producing one of the most explosive knocks witnessed in international cricket. He brought up his century in just 30 deliveries, registering the fastest T20 International hundred by an Indian batsman. His breathtaking innings eventually concluded at 108 runs off only 34 deliveries, adorned with 11 colossal sixes and nine boundaries. This effort marked his third century in T20 Internationals.
The innings also carved a unique niche across global cricket between full-member teams. Abhishek's 30-ball milestone now stands as the fastest T20I century scored by a player representing a Test-playing nation against another Test-playing opponent. In doing so, he eclipsed the previous benchmark held by New Zealand opener Finn Allen, who had struck a 33-ball century against South Africa earlier this year. Abhishek repeatedly cleared the ropes straight over the bowlers' heads, punishing pace and spin with equal authority.
Historic 100-Run Powerplay and Samson's Landmark Milestone
Having already wrapped up the series beforehand, India batted first for the very first time in this rubber, providing their top order ample opportunity to dictate proceedings. Capitalizing fully, Abhishek and opening partner Sanju Samson dismantled the new ball to propel India to an unprecedented 100 runs without loss within the initial six overs. This milestone stands as India's highest-ever team total recorded in the powerplay phase of T20 international cricket.
While Abhishek dominated the strike, Samson anchored the assault with clinical precision. Samson compiled 50 runs off 35 deliveries, marking his second consecutive score of fifty or more in the series. During this knock, Samson crossed the coveted threshold of 9,000 runs in T20 cricket, joining an exclusive five-man club featuring batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The commanding form exhibited by both incumbent openers indicates that young top-order batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi will likely remain on the sidelines for upcoming assignments.
Afghan Attack Dissected as Mohammad Nabi Concedes 29 in One Over
Afghanistan's bowling lineup found no respite on batting-friendly Indian conditions. Azmatullah Omarzai leaked 17 runs in his second over, while Fazalhaq Farooqi conceded 23 in his third. Seeking a breakthrough, Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran introduced spin within the powerplay itself, but the tactical switch did little to arrest India's scoring rate.
The onslaught peaked during veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi's over, which leaked a mammoth 29 runs. Samson initiated the barrage with consecutive straight sixes, before Abhishek followed suit with two more maximums of his own. Samson received a lifeline when he was on 22, as Zadran spilled a regulation catch at mid-off, a lapse that allowed India to sustain their relentless momentum.
Fifty in 16 Deliveries and a Serene Centenary Celebration
Abhishek set the stage early by racing to his half-century in just 16 balls, maintaining an incredible strike rate until reaching the three-figure mark inside the ninth over. He pulled a delivery from Abdullah Ahmadzai to reach 99, before taking a single to complete his historic century. Upon reaching the landmark, Abhishek sat down on the pitch in a meditative pose to mark the occasion, receiving a warm standing ovation from the crowd.
Afghanistan managed to pull things back slightly in the closing stretch, preventing India from crossing the 250-run threshold. The hosts lost four wickets while adding only 37 runs over the final five overs to finish on 221 for 7. Any hopes of an Afghan fightback, however, were swiftly snuffed out by India's bowlers. Ravi Bishnoi and Nitish Reddy spearheaded the demolition by claiming three wickets apiece, bowling out Afghanistan for 94 to secure an emphatic 127-run triumph.
