Abhishek Sharma produced a record-breaking innings in the third T20I against Afghanistan in New Delhi on September 17. He smashed 108 runs off 34 balls.
The India opener reached his century in only 30 balls, breaking Rohit Sharma’s record for India’s fastest T20I hundred. He struck nine fours and 11 sixes as India posted 221/7.
The knock created several individual and team milestones. Here is a closer look at his fastest century, powerplay record, rapid fifty, boundary numbers and other major T20I records.
Abhishek Sharma Breaks India’s Fastest T20I Century Record
Abhishek Sharma reached his century from only 30 balls against Afghanistan. It became the fastest T20I century by an Indian batter.
The previous Indian record belonged to Rohit Sharma, who scored a 35-ball century against Sri Lanka in Indore in 2017. Abhishek improved that mark by five deliveries.
His 30-ball century also became the fastest T20I hundred by a batter from an ICC Full Member nation. The previous mark was 33 balls, jointly held by Sikandar Raza and Finn Allen.
Overall, Abhishek’s century ranks third-fastest in men’s T20I cricket. Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan and Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad reached their hundreds in 27 and 29 balls respectively.
Abhishek Sharma Sets New Powerplay Record
Abhishek Sharma finished the first six overs with 76 off just 22 balls. It became the highest individual score recorded during the powerplay in men’s T20Is.
He surpassed Portugal’s Kuldeep Gholiya, who made 74 off 25 balls against Malta in 2023. Australia’s Travis Head follows with 73 off 22 balls against Scotland in 2024.
Abhishek’s powerplay also helped India reach 100 runs without losing a wicket. It became India’s highest team score during the first six overs in men’s T20Is.
Abhishek Sharma Extends His Record for Fast T20I Fifties
Abhishek Sharma brought up his fifty from just 16 balls against Afghanistan. It marked the sixth time he had reached a T20I fifty in 20 balls or fewer.
He already owns India’s second-fastest T20I fifty, which came from 14 balls against New Zealand earlier in 2026. His latest 16-ball fifty added another rapid half-century to his record.
His 16-ball fifty became India’s joint-fourth-fastest T20I half-century, adding another rapid milestone to his record.
Abhishek Sharma Records the Earliest T20I Century
Abhishek Sharma reached his century at 8.3 overs, making it the earliest point at which a batter has reached a hundred in a men’s T20I.
The record was previously held by Abhishek himself. He reached 100 at the 10.1-over mark against England at the Wankhede Stadium in 2025.
Quinton de Kock (10.2 overs) against West Indies in Centurion in 2023 and Rohit Sharma (11.2 overs) against Sri Lanka in Indore in 2017 are the next two entries on the list.
Abhishek Sharma Adds Another T20I Century to His Record
The century against Afghanistan was Abhishek Sharma’s third in men’s T20Is. His previous T20I hundreds came against Zimbabwe in 2024 and England in 2025.
His latest hundred also took his overall T20 century tally to 10, according to Cricbuzz. That levelled him with Virat Kohli for the joint-most T20 centuries among Indian batters.
Abhishek finished his innings with nine fours and 11 sixes. His 102 runs in boundaries accounted for 94.44% of his total, the highest share recorded in a men’s T20I hundred.
His 11 sixes were also the second-most by an Indian batter in a T20I innings. Abhishek’s own 13 sixes against England in 2025 remain the Indian record.
India Complete the Series With a Record-Breaking Knock
Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson added 142 runs for India’s opening wicket in only 9.5 overs. Abhishek contributed 108 from 34 balls, while Samson made 50 from 35 deliveries.
India eventually posted 221/7 from their 20 overs. Afghanistan were bowled out for 94 in 14.1 overs, giving India a 127-run victory in the third T20I.
The result completed India’s 3-0 series sweep. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravi Bishnoi took three wickets each during Afghanistan’s chase.
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Final Thoughts
Abhishek Sharma turned the third T20I into a record-filled individual performance. His 108 off 34 balls combined exceptional scoring speed with remarkable boundary hitting.
The innings also showed how quickly he can change a T20I contest. His 76-run powerplay gave India a huge platform and set up several team milestones.
For Abhishek, the performance added another significant chapter to his growing T20I record. The 30-ball century now stands among the fastest hundreds in international T20 cricket.
