Abhishek Sharma smashed the record books on Thursday evening, smashing the fastest-ever T20I century by a player from a Full Member Nation of the ICC. The left-handed batter recorded a 30-ball century in the third and final T20I against Afghanistan, helping him beat Rohit Sharma’s record of fastest century by an Indian. The eventual 102-run knock helped the Men in Blue post in excess of 220 runs.
After winning the Player of the Match in New Delhi, Abhishek revealed that he received a text from his mentor, Yuvraj Singh, ahead of the final T20I, asking him to bide his time in the middle and rotate the strike if the ball is not in his hitting range.
The 26-year-old had a series to remember against Afghanistan, registering scores of 82, 39 and 108. In all three games, Abhishek provided a fast start to the Men in Blue, setting a solid base for India to launch an onslaught, and he didn’t show any weakness, hammering both the pacers and spinners all around the park.
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“And in the last match, I only got a text from him that I shouldn’t be forcing all the balls. Specifically in these conditions, if I just take one or two singles in between, it’s not, you know, in my slot. I can take a single as well,” Abhishek told the broadcasters.
“But obviously, sir always wants me to play long, and I always have it in my mind that if I give the team such a start, obviously, when we are on the winning side, that is always in my mind,” he added.
More about Abhishek
Abhishek entered the series against Afghanistan under pressure after enduring a horrid time in Zimbabwe. The runs had dried up for the left-hander, and with the opening conundrum, the pressure was on him to deliver.
However, Abhishek responded with 229 runs in the three matches, including his third T20I century for the Men in Blue. It was also his second ton, coming off fewer than 40 deliveries.
Speaking of the third and final T20I, India registered a win by 127 runs after posting 221/7 in 20 overs. Afghanistan were bowled out for 94 after Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravi Bishnoi scalped three wickets each.
