14 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Abhishek Sharma returned to his destructive best with a sensational 32-ball 82 as India defeated Afghanistan by seven wickets in the first T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
The left-hander smashed seven fours and seven sixes, taking the game away from Afghanistan almost single-handedly and providing a timely response after a lean run of form in T20 internationals.
Abhishek Turns the Chase Into a One-Sided Contest
Chasing 157, India lost Sanju Samson early, but Abhishek immediately took control of the innings.
He attacked Afghanistan’s pace and spin with equal confidence, repeatedly using his feet and picking the length early. His aggressive strokeplay ensured India finished the chase in just 13.4 overs.
Abhishek’s 82 came at a strike rate of more than 250, underlining the sheer intensity of his innings.
Seven Sixes, Seven Fours
The Punjab batter’s innings featured a remarkable combination of clean hitting and calculated aggression.
He took on Afghanistan’s experienced bowling attack, including Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad, and consistently found boundaries.
The innings included an inside-out six over cover, powerful pulls and lofted shots over the infield as Abhishek maintained pressure throughout his stay at the crease.
A Record-Breaking Fifty
Abhishek reached his half-century in just 22 balls, adding another record to an already remarkable innings.
It was his 14th T20I fifty completed in fewer than 25 balls, the most by any player in the format. Suryakumar Yadav is next on the list with nine such half-centuries.
He also became the second-fastest player to reach 6,000 runs in T20 cricket, achieving the milestone in 3,420 balls.
Response After a Lean Patch
The performance was particularly important because Abhishek entered the Afghanistan series under pressure following a difficult run.
His 2026 T20 World Cup campaign began with three consecutive ducks before he found some rhythm later in India’s title defence.
In his six T20I innings before the Afghanistan series, he had managed only two double-digit scores, with 16 being his highest. India nevertheless continued to back him at the top of the order.
Competition for the Opening Spot
The pressure on Abhishek has also been intensified by India’s depth in batting.
Experienced opener Sanju Samson and young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are among the players competing for opportunities at the top of the order.
Abhishek’s explosive return therefore came at an important moment, strengthening his case to remain India’s preferred attacking opener.
Afghanistan’s 156 Proves Insufficient
Earlier, Afghanistan were restricted to 156/8 after being asked to bat first.
They were in serious trouble after losing five wickets for 56 runs, but Azmatullah Omarzai produced a fighting unbeaten 64 off 44 balls.
Mohammad Nabi added 33 off 27, helping Afghanistan reach a competitive-looking total, but it proved far too small against India’s aggressive batting approach.
India’s Bowlers Set Up the Win
India’s bowlers played an important role in restricting Afghanistan.
Arshdeep Singh was the standout bowler, finishing with 3/19, while Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel also contributed to keeping the Afghanistan batting line-up under pressure.
The early wickets ensured India did not have to chase an imposing total.
Abhishek and Kishan Put India in Control
After Samson’s early dismissal, Abhishek joined forces with Ishan Kishan.
The pair added 121 runs at remarkable speed, effectively ending Afghanistan’s hopes before the halfway stage of India’s chase.
Kishan contributed a brisk 42 off 33 balls before being dismissed, with Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma completing the chase.
More Than Just an 82
For Abhishek, the importance of the innings went beyond the numbers.
After a prolonged period without substantial T20I returns, he responded in the most recognisable way possible — by attacking from the beginning and refusing to allow Afghanistan’s bowlers time to settle.
The performance also reaffirmed India’s faith in his aggressive approach at the top of the order.
A Timely Reminder of His Game
Abhishek’s ability to change matches rapidly remains one of his biggest strengths.
Against Afghanistan, he demonstrated that when he gets his timing right, even experienced bowlers can struggle to contain him.
The challenge now will be to convert this explosive performance into sustained consistency in the matches ahead.