Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson explode for 100 in six overs: India rewrite T20I record against Afghanistan…

It took just six overs for India to put the third T20I against Afghanistan into record-book territory.

Opening the innings, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson went after the Afghanistan bowling attack from the very beginning, powering India to an incredible 100/0 in the powerplay at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

Abhishek was the chief destroyer, smashing 72 runs from just 22 deliveries, while Samson added a rapid 24 off 14 balls.

The extraordinary start gave India a new record for their highest powerplay score in men’s T20Is.

India break their own powerplay record

Before this match, India’s best powerplay total in men’s T20I cricket stood at 95/1, scored against England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in 2025.

That mark did not survive long once Abhishek and Samson got going in Delhi.

The Indian openers raced to three figures without losing a wicket, taking the score to 100/0 after six overs.

It was not simply a fast start. The manner in which the runs arrived made the achievement even more striking, with Abhishek taking the attack to Afghanistan’s bowlers almost immediately.

India’s explosive start among T20I records

A powerplay score of 100 or more is still a relatively rare sight in men’s T20I cricket.

Some of the notable 100-plus totals during the first six overs include:

• 116/0 – Romania vs Serbia, Sofia, 2021
• 113/1 – Australia vs Scotland, Edinburgh, 2024
• 103/1 – Zimbabwe vs Gambia, Nairobi, 2024
• 102/0 – South Africa vs West Indies, Centurion, 2023
• 100/0 – England vs South Africa, Old Trafford, 2025
• 100/0 – India vs Afghanistan, Delhi, 2026

India’s latest performance therefore places the team among the sides that have crossed the 100-run mark inside the powerplay in men’s T20Is.

Afghanistan choose to bowl first

Earlier, Ibrahim Zadran won the toss for Afghanistan and decided to bowl first.

The match was the final game of the three-match T20I series, giving both teams an opportunity to finish the series on a high.

Afghanistan made two changes to their playing XI, while India brought Yash Thakur into the side in place of Arshdeep Singh.

However, whatever plans Afghanistan had for the opening overs were quickly put under pressure by India’s aggressive approach.

Abhishek takes centre stage

While Samson provided support at the other end, it was Abhishek who turned the powerplay into a spectacle.

His 72 off 22 balls set the tempo for India’s innings and ensured Afghanistan had little room to settle into their bowling plans.

Samson, meanwhile, played his part by keeping the scoreboard moving and allowing India to maintain an extraordinary scoring rate.

For the Indian opening combination, it was a start that will be remembered long after the final ball of the match.

India vs Afghanistan: Playing XIs

India: Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Yash Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah.

Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Darwish Rasooli, Noor ul Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Fazalhaq Farooqi.

A powerplay to remember

The third T20I had barely begun when Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson turned it into a record-setting contest.

100 runs without losing a wicket in six overs is the kind of start that immediately changes the complexion of a T20 match.

With Abhishek’s breathtaking 72 and Samson’s quickfire contribution, India not only broke their own previous powerplay record but also produced one of the most explosive opening passages of their T20I campaign.

And with the rest of India’s batting lineup still to come, Afghanistan had plenty to worry about after those six unforgettable overs.