New Delhi witnessed an extraordinary batting spectacle on Thursday night as Abhishek Sharma unleashed a record-breaking century for India against Afghanistan in the 3rd T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Sharma's explosive 108 runs from just 34 deliveries, featuring 11 sixes and nine fours, marked the fastest men's T20I hundred by an Indian batter and left the 26,230 spectators captivated.
Initially, Sharma pushed defensively to cover off Fazalhaq Farooqi's first delivery. However, on the very next ball, with fans chanting 'Abhishek, Abhishek', he lofted a half-volley over extra cover, a shot that ignited his innings and prompted the stadium speakers to blare 'India walle'. For the next 50 minutes, Afghanistan bowlers were subjected to a relentless barrage. By the time Sharma was dismissed in the 10th over, he had not only claimed the quickest T20I ton by a batter from a Full Member nation but had also put the game decisively beyond Afghanistan's reach.
The atmosphere was electric from the toss. When Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran chose to bowl, the crowd roared, eager to see India bat first after the team had fielded in the previous two matches. As Sharma accelerated, the 'Jai Ho' song played after he pulled Azmatullah Omarzai for six. Fans began chanting 'Ek chakka aur maar' (Hit one more six), reminiscent of the Salim Durani era. Sharma continued his assault, charging Omarzai for a boundary and later crunching him over deep cover for another six. Farooqi, returning to the attack, also conceded two sixes and two fours.
Sharma's technique, characterised by holding the bat handle high, allowed him to hit seamers cleanly on both sides of the wicket with an eye-catchy swing. Against spinners, he hung back or made room to execute shots across the park. Mohammad Nabi's off-spin suffered significantly, as Sharma raced to 50 off just 16 balls. This was his sixth T20I fifty achieved inside 20 deliveries, a feat shared with his mentor Yuvraj Singh, Colin Munro, Finn Allen, Dasun Shanaka, and Adil Butt, who have each done it three times. It was also Sharma's fifth T20I fifty inside the powerplay, a record unmatched by any other batter from a Full Member side. India's innings concluded at 221/7, including 79 runs in the final overs, ensuring the paying audience received far more than their money's worth.
Image for illustration purposes only
đź“° Source: Mangalorean News