New Delhi, Sept 2026 : India’s dynamic left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma produced a breathtaking display of power-hitting at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday, smashing a record-breaking century off just 30 balls against Afghanistan in the third T20I.
Abhishek’s explosive innings ended at 108 off 34 deliveries, with nine fours and 11 sixes, as he tore apart the Afghanistan bowling attack. His dismissal in the 10th over, when he was caught behind by Rahmanullah Gurbaz off leg-spinner Rashid Khan, brought a standing ovation from the crowd.
The innings saw Abhishek rewrite India’s record books. His 30-ball hundred surpassed former India captain Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball century against Sri Lanka at Indore in 2017, becoming the fastest T20I century by an Indian men’s batter. It was also the fastest T20I hundred by a batter from a Test-playing nation.
Abhishek’s century ranks third overall in the list of fastest hundreds in men’s T20Is. Only Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan, who reached the landmark in 27 balls, and Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad, who took 29 deliveries, have done it quicker.
The Indian opener initially took a measured approach, beginning his assault with a boundary off Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi in the opening over. He then shifted gears dramatically in the second over, taking on Azmatullah Omarzai with two sixes and a boundary.
Mohammad Nabi was next to bear the brunt of Abhishek’s assault. The left-hander smashed the experienced all-rounder for two sixes and a four to complete his half-century in just 16 balls.
Abhishek’s extraordinary start also produced another major record. He scored 76 runs from 22 balls during the six-over powerplay, registering the highest individual score in the powerplay in men’s T20I cricket.
He continued his assault against Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan before completing his century in just 30 balls. After reaching the milestone, Abhishek celebrated by sitting in a meditation pose, reflecting the calmness with which he had dominated the Afghanistan attack.
The remarkable innings drew an emotional response from his father, Rajkumar Sharma, who was seated in the hospitality stand. India head coach Gautam Gambhir was also visibly delighted as he watched the spectacular knock from the dugout.
Abhishek’s assault also saw him establish another T20I record. According to CricViz, he took his tally of sixes in the powerplay during 2026 to 37, including seven in the ongoing match. This surpassed his previous record of 34 powerplay sixes in a calendar year, set in 2025.
With his record-breaking innings, Abhishek once again underlined his reputation as one of India’s most explosive young batters in the shortest format.
