Cricket

Abhishek Sharma Credits Yuvraj Singh Advice for Record-Breaking Century Against Afghanistan

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Sep 18, 2026, 13:17 IST

Abhishek Sharma smashed a 30-ball century to lead India to a 127-run victory over Afghanistan. The opener revealed that mentor Yuvraj Singh’s tactical advice was instrumental in his explosive performance in the final T20I.

Abhishek Sharma Credits Yuvraj Singh Advice for Record-Breaking Century Against Afghanistan

Abhishek Sharma delivered a masterclass in aggressive batting during the third and final T20I against Afghanistan in New Delhi on Thursday, securing a dominant 127-run victory for India. The left-handed opener reached his century in just 30 balls, setting a new benchmark as the fastest T20I hundred by a player from an ICC Full Member nation and eclipsing Rohit Sharma’s previous record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian.

The explosive innings, which saw the opener finish with 102 runs, provided the foundation for India’s imposing total of 221/7. Following the match, the Player of the Match recipient credited his mentor, Yuvraj Singh, for providing the tactical guidance that allowed him to thrive under pressure after a challenging series in Zimbabwe.

Yuvraj Singh's Tactical Influence

Reflecting on his performance, Abhishek shared that Yuvraj had reached out before the game with specific advice regarding his shot selection. The former Indian star encouraged him to avoid forcing every delivery and to prioritize rotating the strike when the ball was not in his preferred hitting zone. This measured approach allowed the youngster to maintain his rhythm while still capitalizing on loose deliveries.

Abhishek noted that Yuvraj consistently emphasizes the importance of playing long innings. The opener explained that his primary focus is to provide the team with a strong start, which becomes even more rewarding when it contributes to a victory. This performance served as a significant statement for the batter, who was eager to solidify his place in the national opening lineup.

Dominant Series Conclusion

The century capped off a highly productive series for the left-hander, who accumulated 229 runs across the three matches, including scores of 82, 39, and 108. His ability to provide rapid starts was a recurring theme throughout the series, consistently putting the opposition on the back foot.

Following India's total of 221/7, the bowling attack dismantled the Afghanistan lineup, bowling them out for just 94 runs. The bowling effort was spearheaded by Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravi Bishnoi, who claimed three wickets each to seal the comprehensive win. This result marks a high point for the team as they continue to refine their squad composition in the shortest format of the game.