Abhishek Sharma delivered one of the most impressive batting performances of his international career in India’s third and final T20 against Afghanistan in New Delhi. The left-handed opener scored a brilliant century in just 30 balls, breaking Rohit Sharma’s record for the fastest T20 century by an Indian batsman. Following his stellar innings, Abhishek Sharma revealed that he received an important message from his mentor, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, before the match.
The message wasn’t about hitting more boundaries or trying to dominate every delivery. Instead, Yuvraj Singh told Abhishek Sharma to be patient when the ball wasn’t in his hitting zone and to rotate the strike instead of forcing shots. Abhishek Sharma heeded that advice and maintained his aggressive style, which has become his greatest strength.
Abhishek Sharma’s record-breaking innings against Afghanistan
The third T20 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium turned out to be a memorable night for Abhishek Sharma. He reached his half-century in just 16 balls and then continued his rapid innings to reach his century in just 30 balls.
Abhishek Sharma scored 108 runs in 34 balls, including 9 fours and 11 sixes. His strike rate was over 300, indicating the intensity of his innings. The Indian opener was eventually dismissed by Rashid Khan, but by then he had already made his mark in the record books.
His 30-ball century also broke Rohit Sharma’s previous Indian record of a T20 century in 35 balls, which he set against Sri Lanka in 2017. Abhishek Sharma’s century was also the fastest T20 century by a batsman from an ICC Full Member country.
Abhishek Sharma did not completely abandon his natural attacking game. Instead, he combined his ability to choose his shots carefully with his ability to regularly hit boundaries. This balance helped him turn a fast start into a historic individual performance.
What did Yuvraj Singh say to Abhishek Sharma?
Abhishek Sharma shared a message he received from Yuvraj Singh. According to Abhishek Sharma, Yuvraj Singh advised him not to push hard on every ball and to rotate the strike whenever the ball was outside his preferred hitting zone.
T20 cricket often encourages batsmen to attack almost every delivery, but trying to hit a big shot on the wrong ball can also lead to early dismissals.
Abhishek Sharma’s innings showcased another aspect of attacking cricket. He waited for opportunities, punished balls in his hitting zone, and rotated the strike when necessary. Once he found his rhythm, boundaries came in abundance.
The connection between Yuvraj Singh and Abhishek Sharma has also attracted considerable attention. Yuvraj Singh has worked with Abhishek Sharma before and is considered an important mentor in the young batsman’s career. Their relationship has often been discussed as both left-handers are known for their attacking batting styles.
India sweeps the series 3-0
Abhishek’s century played a major role in India’s impressive performance in the final T20. India scored 221/7 before restricting Afghanistan to a 127-run win. This result ensured India completed a 3-0 clean sweep of the three-match series.
For Abhishek Sharma, this performance was also the perfect way to end the series. He had already made an impact with an 82-run knock in the first game and then made another strong contribution before scoring his record-breaking century in the final match. The ICC reported that he came into the third game after scoring 82 and 39 in the first two matches.
The record is important, but perhaps the biggest thing is how Abhishek Sharma continues to develop his approach. His natural game is based on aggression, fearless strokeplay, and putting pressure on the opposition bowlers. Yuvraj’s advice adds another layer to his style, helping him understand when to attack.
So, Abhishek’s performance against Afghanistan wasn’t limited to just scoring a century in 30 balls. The batsman can bring patience and awareness to his game, without losing the attacking mindset that makes him dangerous.
Conclusion
Abhishek Sharma’s record-breaking century against Afghanistan will be remembered not only for its speed but also for the story behind it. One of Abhishek’s most dangerous international innings was preceded by a simple message from Yuvraj Singh about patience and shot selection. This performance showed that aggression and smart batting can work together, adding another memorable chapter to Abhishek’s burgeoning T20 career.
FAQs
1. How many balls did Abhishek Sharma take to score his century?
Abhishek Sharma completed his century in just 30 balls against Afghanistan.
2. How many runs did Abhishek Sharma score?
He scored 108 runs from 34 deliveries, including nine fours and 11 sixes.
3. What did Yuvraj Singh tell Abhishek Sharma?
Yuvraj advised him not to force every delivery and to rotate the strike when the ball was outside his hitting zone.
4. Whose record did Abhishek Sharma break?
He broke Rohit Sharma's record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian batter, which was previously 35 balls.
5. Did India win the T20I series against Afghanistan?
Yes. India won the third T20I by 127 runs and completed a 3-0 series sweep.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available match reports and statements from relevant players and cricket officials. Match statistics and player comments may be updated or clarified by official sources.
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Sudhanshu is the author of XYZ News Live and has over 2 years of experience in digital content writing. His focus is on presenting news and important information in a simple, clear, and accessible language for readers.