New Delhi: If fans had started wondering whether Abhishek Sharma was getting a bit overshadowed by the incredible exploits of boy wonder and fellow-opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, they had to watch what the Punjab leftie did at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday evening.
The 26-year-old Abhishek went absolutely berserk in the third T20 International against Afghanistan, plundering a century off just 30 balls!
Team India having already sealed the series by winning the first two games hardly mattered as Abhishek went hammer and tongs at the hapless Afghan bowlers.
He reached 100 with a single, only his fourth of the innings, having already smashed 10 sixes and 9 fours.
As many as 96 runs out of 100 came in boundaries and overboundaries – a unique feat in itself.
For a moment, it seemed he hadn’t realised the feat. Then, he raised his bat, sat down for a prayer in yoga pose, before accepting partner Sanju Samson’s greetings.
– Look at Abhishek Sharma Cold Celebration.
– Look at Gautam Gambhir Happiness.
– Look at Frustration on Afganisthani bowlersTODAY ABHISHEK SHARMA BREAK ROHIT SHARMA FASTEST T20I CENTURY FOR INDIA 🔥 pic.twitter.com/bfnKKFIpNU
— Sam (@cricsam02) September 17, 2026
It was the fastest T20I century by anyone from Test-playing nations, surpassing New Zealander Finn Allen’s record of 33 balls.
The previous Indian record-holder was Rohit Sharma, who reached 100 against Sri Lanka, in December 2017.
1⃣0⃣8⃣ runs
3⃣4⃣ balls
3⃣1⃣7⃣.6⃣5⃣ strike rate
9⃣ fours & 1⃣1⃣ sixesAbhishek Sharma walks back after a fabulous knock 💥💥
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/Zixki4RhPt#TeamIndia | #AFGvIND pic.twitter.com/tMPK8itRXT
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 17, 2026
The two batters who did it quicker than Abhishek were Sahil Chauhan of Estonia (27 balls) and Muhammad Fahad of Turkey (29 balls).
Thanks to Abhishek’s pyrotechnics, the men in blue reached 100 in 6 overs – a record for India.
Abhishek fell for 108 (34 balls, 9×4, 11×6) as India reached 167/3 in 14 overs.
