In a dazzling display of power hitting, India’s rising star Abhishek Sharma etched his name into the record books by registering the quickest T20 International century ever by a batsman representing a full‑member Test nation. The feat was achieved during a high‑profile clash against Afghanistan at the iconic Delhi stadium, where Sharma unleashed a 30‑ball blitz that left spectators and analysts alike in awe. From the moment Sharma walked to the crease, it was clear that he was intent on making a statement. Within just 34 deliveries, he amassed a staggering 108 runs, punctuated by an on‑slaught of boundaries that included 11 towering sixes and nine crisp fours.
This explosive innings not only propelled India to a formidable total of 221 for 7 but also eclipsed the previous benchmarks set by New Zealand’s Finn Allen and Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza, who had both reached the three‑figure mark in 33 balls. Allen’s rapid hundred came in the high‑stakes semi‑final of the T20 World Cup against South Africa in Kolkata earlier this year, while Raza’s milestone was recorded against Gambia in Nairobi during the October 2024 series. By surpassing both, Sharma not only claimed the fastest century by a player from a Test‑playing country but also secured the record for the quickest hundred in any T20 International contested between two full‑member nations.
When placed in the broader context of all T20I centuries, Sharma’s 30‑ball effort ranks third overall. The top spot belongs to Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan, who smashed a 27‑ball hundred against Cyprus in 2024, followed closely by Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad, who reached the milestone in 29 balls against Bulgaria a year later. In the women’s game, the fastest T20I hundred was compiled by West Indies’ Deandra Dottin, who struck a 38‑ball ton versus South Africa at the 2010 World Cup in St Kitts. Sharma’s innings was instrumental in India’s dominant performance on the day.
After posting 221‑7, the Indian side bowled out Afghanistan for a meagre 94, sealing a 127‑run victory and completing a 3‑0 series whitewash. The win not only underscored India’s superiority in the bilateral contest but also highlighted Sharma’s growing stature as a match‑winner in the shortest format.
With this knock, he joined an elite group of Indian players who have recorded three or more T20I centuries—a tally that places him behind only Rohit Sharma, who boasts five, and Suryakumar Yadav, with four. It is worth noting that Rohit Sharma himself held the previous Indian record for the fastest T20I century, achieving the feat in 35 balls against Sri Lanka in Indore back in 2017.
Sharma’s achievement, therefore, represents a significant step forward for Indian batting in the modern era, where strike rates and quick scoring have become paramount. Beyond the international arena, Sharma has already demonstrated his ability to dominate in domestic T20 competitions. Earlier in 2024, he recorded an even faster hundred, smashing 100 runs off just 28 balls for Punjab in a match against Meghalaya. That performance hinted at the raw power and timing that would later translate onto the world stage.
The match also featured a notable fielding contribution from Sharma. In Afghanistan’s doomed chase, he took a crucial catch at deep mid‑wicket, dismissing Sediq Atal, who was attempting a slog sweep. This dismissal helped to further destabilise the Afghan innings, contributing to the comprehensive defeat.
Supporting the Indian bowlers, Nitish Kumar Reddy delivered a decisive spell, claiming three wickets in the 12th over and ensuring that Afghanistan could not recover. The Indian side wrapped up the Afghan innings in just 14.1 overs, cementing a 127‑run margin and completing a clean sweep of the series. Looking ahead, Sharma’s record‑breaking century is likely to boost his confidence and cement his place as a key figure in India’s T20 lineup. His ability to combine explosive power hitting with sharp fielding makes him a valuable asset in both batting and defensive facets of the game.
As the cricketing calendar fills with more high‑profile T20 tournaments and international fixtures, fans and selectors will be eager to see whether Sharma can maintain this level of performance and perhaps even challenge the overall world record for the fastest T20I hundred. In summary, Abhishek Sharma’s 30‑ball hundred against Afghanistan not only set a new standard for Test‑nation batsmen in T20 Internationals but also highlighted the evolving nature of modern cricket, where speed, aggression, and versatility are prized above all. His achievement stands as a testament to his talent, hard work, and the growing depth of Indian cricketing prowess in the shortest format.