Abhishek hits record T20 ton as India post 221 for seven against Afghanistan

India's Abhishek Sharma hit 100 off 30 balls against Afghanistan, the fastest T20 international century by a test-playing batter, as he guided the team to 221 for seven on Thursday.

The left-handed Abhishek surpassed Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza's ton off 33 balls against Gambia in 2024, and Finn Allen's effort from the same number of deliveries in New Zealand's T20 World Cup semifinal win over South Africa earlier this year in India.

The fastest ever hundred in T20 matches was hit by Sahil Chauhan of Estonia in 27 balls.

Abhishek tore into the Afghanistan bowling attack after India, who have an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, were invited to bat at New Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium.

The swashbuckling opener hit a six to 99. He completed the hundred with a single and sat in a meditation pose to celebrate.

He finally fell for 108 off 34 balls to legspinner Rashid Khan. The 26-year-old's knock was laced with nine fours and 11 sixes.

𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐃 💯💯

Abhishek Sharma delights New Delhi 🎆

His 3⃣rd century in T20Is 🫡

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/Zixki4RhPt#TeamIndia | #AFGvIND pic.twitter.com/SfaRm2MAvs — BCCI (@BCCI) September 17, 2026

His opening stand of 142 with Sanju Samson, who hit 50, put India on course for a big total but Afghanistan bowlers checked the surge with regular wickets.

Tilak Varma was run out for two by Rashid and Samson departed after his second successive half-century as he fell to pace bowler Azmatullah Omarzai.

Omarzai struck another blow, helped by a stunning catch by Rashid in the deep to send Shivam Dube back out for 14.

From 100 without loss in six overs and 142 for one in 10 overs, India lost their way and managed just 79 runs from the last 60 balls.

Afghanistan need 222 for a consolation win.

AFGHANISTAN: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran (capt.), Sediqullah Atal, Noor Ul Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdollah Omarzai.

INDIA: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (capt.), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravi Bishnoi, Yash Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah.