Abhishek Sharma Smashes Fastest T20I Century By Indian Batter With 30-Ball Ton Against Afghanistan

Abhishek Sharma rewrote India’s T20I record books with a blistering 30-ball century against Afghanistan in the third and final T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday, smashing the fastest hundred by an Indian men’s batter in the format.

The left-handed opener eventually fell for 108 off 34 balls, having hit nine fours and 11 sixes at a strike rate of 317.65, as India posted 221/7 in 20 overs.

Abhishek breaks Rohit Sharma’s record

Abhishek reached his century in just 30 balls, bettering the previous Indian record of 35 balls held by Rohit Sharma, who had achieved the feat against Sri Lanka in Indore in 2017.

The innings also made Abhishek the fastest T20I centurion by a batter from a Test-playing nation. Overall, his 30-ball hundred ranks as the third-fastest century in men’s T20I history, behind Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan, who scored a 27-ball hundred, and Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad, who reached three figures in 29 balls.

76 runs in the powerplay

Abhishek’s assault began almost immediately after India were sent in to bat.

He reached his half-century from only 16 balls before accelerating further. By the end of the six-over powerplay, he had scored 76 runs off 22 balls, the highest individual score recorded in the powerplay in men’s T20I cricket. India also reached 100/0 during the first six overs.

His innings included seven sixes during the powerplay, taking his tally of T20I sixes in the six-over phase in 2026 to 37. That surpassed his own previous calendar-year record of 34 sixes in the powerplay, set in 2025.

Century arrives in the ninth over

Abhishek brought up his century in the ninth over by driving a single off Abdullah Ahmadzai.

He celebrated the milestone by sitting in a meditation pose after removing his helmet and bandana, while his father, Rajkumar Sharma, watched from the hospitality stand.

His remarkable innings ended in the 10th over when Rashid Khan dismissed him for 108.

142-run opening stand

Abhishek’s assault provided the platform for India’s imposing total.

He and Sanju Samson added 142 runs for the opening wicket, with Samson contributing 50. India crossed 220 despite losing four wickets in the final five overs as Afghanistan fought back late in the innings.

Brief score

India: 221/7 in 20 overs
Abhishek Sharma: 108 (34), 9 fours, 11 sixes
Sanju Samson: 50
Azmatullah Omarzai: 2/27

Afghanistan: Yet to bat