India completed a 3-0 clean sweep over Afghanistan in the T20I series by winning the third and final match by 127 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday (September 17).
The series finale was defined by a historic batting masterclass. Opener Abhishek Sharma stole the show, blasting the fastest ever T20I century by any batter from a Test-playing nation off just 30 balls. His blistering knock of 34-ball 108 propelled India to a formidable total of 221/7 after Afghanistan chose to bowl. Sanju Samson also chipped in with a vital half-century (50 off 35) to solidify the innings.
In response, Afghanistan's run chase fell apart instantly, losing 3 wickets within the first two overs. The Indian bowling unit put on a clinical, collective display, bundling the hosts out for a mere 94 runs in 14.1 overs. Nitish Kumar Reddy and spinner Ravi Bishnoi spearheaded the bowling department, picking up three wickets each to wrap up the series whitewash.
Despite sweeping the series, former BCCI chief selector Kris Srikkanth questioned the Indian team management’s decision to field pacer Yash Thakur in the third T20I.
Thakur replaced left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh in the playing XI. He finished with relatively economical figures, conceding 17 runs and claiming one wicket in his two overs.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth argued that international caps are being handed out too easily. He pointed out a glaring disparity between Thakur's international opportunities and his standard IPL credentials.
"How can some random guy like him wear the Indian cap? If Yash Thakur is getting the Indian cap, it sends a signal that you are giving the Indian cap very easily to anybody and everybody. That is not a good sign. To play for India, you need some credibility, talent, and strong domestic performance," Srikkanth said.
"It's an injustice that Yash Thakur is playing for India. This is not, and it's not fair or right. It's not fair on people like Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Guys like Yash Thakur and Ravi Bishnoi are not even regulars in their IPL teams," he added.
Yash Thakur made his international debut for India during the Zimbabwe T20I tour in July this year. He played two matches in that series and claimed a couple of scalps.
In the IPL, Thakur has appeared in 22 matches and bagged 27 wickets. However, he featured in a solitary game for Punjab Kings in IPL 2026.
After hammering Afghanistan at home, the Shreyas Iyer-led Indian T20I side is now gearing up for a historic one-off T20I against Japan, followed by the Asian Games 2026.
(With IANS Inputs)
