Abhishek Sharma rediscovered his explosive best during India’s T20I series against Afghanistan. Before the series, Abhishek had managed just one half-century across his previous 10 T20 innings, making his subsequent return to form all the more emphatic.
The series opener in Delhi saw the left-hander make an immediate impact, smashing 82 from just 32 balls. He brought up his half-century in only 22 deliveries, with seven fours and seven sixes powering India towards a comfortable chase of 157. India reached the target with 38 balls to spare, with Abhishek named Player of the Match.
He continued his attacking approach in the second T20I, scoring 39 from 19 deliveries at a strike rate of 205.26. With India already holding an unassailable series lead, the third match gave Abhishek the chance to bat first for the first time in the series, and he produced the performance of the contest.
Abhishek smashed a record-breaking 108 from just 45 balls, bringing up his century in only 30 deliveries. It was the fastest T20I century by a batter from a Full Member nation. His fifty came from just 16 balls, joint-fourth fastest by an Indian in men’s T20Is, while his final strike rate of 317.64 was also the highest by an Indian in a T20I innings. He struck 11 sixes, the second-most by an Indian in a T20I innings, and his partnership with Sanju Samson helped India post their highest-ever Powerplay score of 100/0.
Another Player of the Match award followed, along with the Player of the Series honour for the No.2 ranked T20I batter. Abhishek finished the three-match series with 229 runs at an average of 76.33, putting together one of the most explosive individual campaigns of September.
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