In a remarkable display of power hitting, Abhishek Sharma of India has set a new record for the fastest T20I century by a full-member batter, reaching the milestone in just 30 balls during a match against Afghanistan on September 17, 2026. Sharma's explosive innings of 108 runs off 34 deliveries not only secured his place in the record books but also helped propel India to a formidable total of 221 runs.
Sharma's record-breaking performance eclipses the previous record held jointly by Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe and Finn Allen of New Zealand, both of whom scored their centuries in 33 balls. The achievement highlights Sharma's burgeoning talent as a key player for the Indian national team, particularly in the T20 format where quick scoring is crucial.
The innings began with a boundary off the bowling of Fazalhaq Farooqi, setting the tone for what was to follow. In the second over, Sharma unleashed a barrage of aggressive strokes against Azmatullah Omarzai, hitting two sixes and a four. He continued to dominate the Afghan bowlers, particularly targeting Farooqi for an impressive 22 runs in the third over.
After a relatively quiet fourth over, Sharma, alongside wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, took on the experienced Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan, scoring 29 and 15 runs off their respective overs. Notably, Sharma reached his fifty in just 16 balls, showcasing his ability to accelerate scoring at will. The duo's partnership was critical in pushing India to a staggering 100 runs without loss during the powerplay.
As Sharma approached his century, he dispatched Mujeeb Ur Rahman with two sixes in the eighth over, bringing him into the nineties. A six from Abdollah Ahmadzai in the next over followed by a single allowed him to reach his hundred, completing the feat in just 30 balls. This remarkable achievement saw him convert a fifty into a century in a mere 14 balls, illustrating the aggressive batting style that has become synonymous with T20 cricket.
Sharma's innings came to an end in the 10th over, with India poised at 142 runs. While Sanju Samson contributed a solid 50 runs off 35 balls, the rest of the batting lineup struggled to maintain the momentum, resulting in India finishing their innings at 221-7. Afghanistan's response was dismal, as they were bowled out for just 94 runs. Ibrahim Zadran was the only batter to surpass the 20-run mark for Afghanistan, with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravi Bishnoi each claiming three wickets, while Axar Patel added two to his tally.
This match not only showcased Abhishek Sharma's extraordinary talent but also reinforced India's dominance in the T20 format, particularly as they prepare for upcoming international competitions. As the cricketing world reflects on this historic performance, Sharma's record-breaking century will undoubtedly be remembered as a significant milestone in T20 cricket history.
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