Abhishek Smashes Fastest Indian T20I Hundred
News Desk
New Delhi: Indian batter Abhishek Sharma produced a breathtaking display of power hitting against Afghanistan on Thursday, smashing a 30-ball century to set a new record for the fastest T20I hundred by an Indian.
The 24-year-old reached three figures in just 30 deliveries, breaking Rohit Sharma’s previous Indian record of 35 balls, set against Sri Lanka in 2017.
Abhishek eventually fell for a stunning 108 off just 34 balls, hitting nine fours and 11 sixes during his explosive innings.
His century also became the fastest T20I hundred by a batter from a Test-playing nation. Overall, it ranks as the third-fastest century in men’s T20Is, behind Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan, who reached the milestone in 27 balls, and Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad, who did so in 29.
Abhishek also created another record by scoring 76 runs during the powerplay, the highest individual score in the first six overs of a men’s T20I.
Alongside Sanju Samson, who struck 50 off 35 balls with four sixes and two fours, Abhishek helped India race to 100 runs in the powerplay — the team’s highest-ever total during the opening six overs of a men’s T20I.
From Yuvraj’s Student to Record Holder
Abhishek’s record-breaking performance carries an added significance because of his long-standing connection with former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who has mentored him for several years.
Yuvraj still holds the Indian record for the fastest T20I fifty, having reached the milestone in just 12 balls against England during the 2007 T20 World Cup.
Abhishek came close to matching that mark earlier this year when he smashed a 14-ball fifty against New Zealand. Yuvraj jokingly reminded his protege afterwards that the 12-ball record remained out of reach.
That record still belongs to the mentor, but Abhishek now has a record of his own.
Yuvraj owns India’s fastest T20I fifty, while his student now holds the country’s fastest T20I hundred, adding another chapter to an unusual mentor-student cricketing connection.
