India opener Abhishek Sharma completely dismantled the Afghanistan bowling attack in the third and final T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday (September 17), smashing a historic 30-ball century.
This extraordinary feat marks the quickest T20I hundred by an Indian—breaking Rohit Sharma's previous 35-ball record—and also fastest ever in T20Is by any batter from a Test-playing nation, surpassing the previous mark of 33-ball tons held by Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza and New Zealand's Finn Allen.
It was also the third-fastest ton overall in T20Is, behind Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan (27 balls) and Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad (29 balls).
After scripting India’s 3-0 series win over Afghanistan, Abhishek acknowledged that bettering Rohit’s achievement stands as a defining milestone in his career.
"It's a big achievement, not just for me but for all Indians, I could probably say, because I still remember the way Rohit bhaji used to play T20 cricket, I really loved and enjoyed when I was watching back at home and breaking that record, it's one of my biggest achievements for now," he said in a video posted on bcci.tv.
The southpaw also credited the team culture promoted by the leadership for allowing him to play aggressively and dominate.
"I said on the first day as well when I got the Man of the Match award, we dominated the whole two years before the World Cup and probably just after the World Cup. One or two series can't define our batting department and the way we want to play.
"It's our responsibility as batters to make sure we create that atmosphere again, where we have the freedom to just go and express ourselves. Big mention to coach and captain because once they are on your side, I feel it gives you more freedom and confidence," he remarked.
Abhishek highlighted how coach Gautam Gambhir and former skipper Suryakumar Yadav empowered him to establish an aggressive, fearless blueprint for India's T20 batting approach.
"I still remember in the first practice session when we spoke about how we want to dominate again and, in that process, you have to be fearless, you have to think about the team always.
"I still remember once I started when Sky was there, so he always wanted me to utilise the powerplay, because if you see a T20 game, it is mostly about the powerplays. So that's what GG bhai was saying. He wanted me to create that atmosphere and create that in the team dressing room where you can just go, be fearless, play the way you want and express yourself," he explained.
Before the third T20I against Afghanistan, Gambhir asked Abhishek to deliver the team huddle speech. The left-hander chose to speak in Punjabi to maximize motivation, believing the language carries a unique, stirring energy.
"GG bhai came to me before the game and said that I have to speak in the huddle, so I asked him if I could speak in Punjabi, because I feel when a Punjabi speaks in Punjabi, it actually motivates the whole team. I called the team Soormas, which means warriors. Soormas are those who always play in their way and win games, so that's why I wanted to create that intent in the team just before the game," he added.
In his speech, Abhishek addressed the team as Soormas, defining them as individuals who play fearlessly in their own distinct style and win games.
"I'm going to speak in Punjabi. So, boys, we are going to play like Soormas. Soorma means warriors. The way we've been playing this entire series, that's exactly how we need to finish it today.
"Warriors never show mercy to anyone. We aren't letting them off the hook today. Look at the crowd, we'll have to give them full entertainment. Alright? Otherwise, let's smash it. Chak de phatte, nap de killi, subah Jalandhar, shaam nu Dilli," he said in the pep-talk.
Talking about the light-hearted ending to his speech, Abhishek said, "After that, as I said, because we are playing in Delhi, we have this line. I think Navjot Singh Sidhu sir used to say it a lot, so I wanted to make the atmosphere in the team a bit lighter."
In the end, Abhishek Sharma highlighted how meditation, visualization, and manifestation have helped him handle high-pressure situations and stay grounded over the last 6-12 months.
"I mean, yes, I was manifesting this because the things I can't tell what I'm getting from meditation and I just wanted to convey it in this way because that's how audiences and people would enjoy it and listen to you.
"I feel from the last six months or probably one year, I've been doing a bit of manifestation and a bit of meditation, and it has actually helped me a lot. So, I just wanted to convey this message.
"Whoever youngsters want to learn something new, I feel this is something that I've discovered over the last six or seven months, and it has actually helped me a lot. Just being a bit more spiritual, that's it," he concluded.
