Afghanistan vs India 2026 3rd T20I: Abhishek Sharma hits 30-ball ton as India sweep series 3-0

India clinched a 3-0 series sweep with a 127-run victory against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

India’s batting innings was highlighted by an outstanding performance by Abhishek Sharma, who recorded the fastest T20I century by an Indian batter in only 30 balls. Abhishek concluded with a 34-ball 108, hitting at 317.65 with nine fours and 11 sixes. Along with Sanju Samson (50), the duo put up a stunning 142-run opening stand that demolished Afghanistan’s bowling preparations in the powerplay. Despite a middle-order wobble that saw wickets fall rapidly, Shreyas Iyer‘s useful 29 from 20 balls helped India pass the 220 mark. The performance demonstrated the team’s gutsy dedication to aggressive purpose from the first ball.

Chasing a challenging total of 222, Afghanistan’s batting collapsed under pressure, scoring just 94 in 14.1 overs. Openers Ibrahim Zadran (25) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (15) started well, but when Axar Patel broke the opening partnership, the middle order crumbled. Aside from Azmatullah Omarzai (17), no other batter reached double figures. The performance highlighted a recurring concern for Afghanistan throughout the series: a lack of adaptation when asked to match high-scoring rates, as hurried shot decisions destroyed whatever momentum they had built.

Defending a score of 221, India’s rotated bowling unit produced a clinical effort, dismissing Afghanistan in only 14.1 overs. Axar Patel (2/9 in 3 overs) established early spin control by breaking the opening pair before Nitish Kumar Reddy (3/25) and Ravi Bishnoi (3/26) ripped through the middle and lower orders. With tight opening spells from Jasprit Bumrah (1/16) and Yash Thakur (1/17), the unit never let Afghanistan settle. India’s ability to retain great defensive discipline despite scoring a massive total showcased the tactical maturity of their bowling group.

Afghanistan’s bowling unit was ripped apart in a record powerplay onslaught in which India scored 100 runs without losing a wicket. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman were ineffectual on a proper batting surface, providing too much width early on. Omarzai (2/27) and Rashid Khan (1/43) were able to regain control in the middle overs, but the damage had already been done.

With this result, India will head into the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya in Japan with mighty confidence.

India: 221/7, Overs 20, Abhishek Sharma 108, Rashid Khan 3/36

Afghanistan: 159/8, Overs 20, Ibrahim Zadran 37, Nitish Kumar Reddy 3/24