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 hundred ever recorded by a batsman from a full‑member Test‑playing nation. The feat came during a high‑profile encounter with Afghanistan at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, where Sharma’s blistering 108 runs off just 34 balls propelled his side to a formidable total of 221 for 7. From the very first ball, Sharma announced his intentions, unleashing a barrage of boundaries that left the opposition scrambling. In his 34‑ball innings he struck a staggering eleven sixes and nine fours, a combination that not only showcased his raw strength but also his impeccable timing and placement.
This monumental effort eclipsed the previous bests set by New Zealand’s Finn Allen, who had reached the three‑figure mark in 33 balls, and Zimbabwe’s all‑rounder Sikandar Raza, who also needed 33 deliveries to compile his century. Allen’s rapid ton came in the tense semi‑final of the T20 World Cup against South Africa in Kolkata earlier this year, while Raza’s century was recorded against Gambia in Nairobi in October 2024.
By surpassing both, Sharma not only claimed the fastest hundred among players from Test‑playing nations but also secured the record for the quickest T20I hundred in a contest between two full‑member countries. When placed in the broader context of all T20 International centuries, Sharma’s 30‑ball knock ranks third overall. The top spot belongs to Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan, who smashed a hundred in just 27 balls against Cyprus in 2024, followed closely by Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad, who achieved the feat in 29 balls a year later. In the women's game, the fastest century was compiled by West Indies legend Deandra Dottin, who struck a 38‑ball hundred against South Africa during the 2010 World Cup on the Caribbean island of St.
Kitts. Sharma’s innings was pivotal in ensuring India’s dominance in the series. His explosive 108 set the platform for a total that proved too much for Afghanistan, who were bowled out for a modest 94, handing India a comprehensive 127‑run victory and sealing a 3‑0 series whitewash.
The win not only added another trophy to India’s cabinet but also highlighted Sharma’s growing importance in the side’s batting line‑up. With this century, Sharma joins an elite group of Indian players who have reached three or more T20 International hundreds. He now sits third on that list, trailing only the prolific Rohit Sharma, who boasts five centuries, and the dynamic Suryakumar Yadav, who has four.
It is worth noting that Rohit Sharma himself held the previous Indian record for the fastest T20I hundred, achieving the milestone in 35 balls against Sri Lanka in Indore back in 2017. Sharma’s rapid scoring is not confined to the international arena. Earlier in the 2024 domestic season, he demonstrated his ability to dominate bowlers in the Indian Premier League, registering a 28‑ball century for Punjab against Meghalaya.
That performance underscored his capacity to translate domestic success onto the world stage, a quality that selectors and fans alike value highly. Beyond his batting heroics, Sharma contributed in the field during Afghanistan’s doomed chase.
He took a crucial catch at deep mid‑wicket, dismissing Sediq Atal as the Afghan batsman attempted a slog‑sweep, further cementing his all‑round impact on the match. Meanwhile, India’s bowling attack, led by the incisive spell of Nitish Kumar Reddy, who claimed three wickets in the 12th over, ensured the opposition could not recover, wrapping up the innings in just 14.1 overs. The significance of Sharma’s achievement extends beyond the numbers.
It highlights the evolving nature of modern T20 cricket, where aggressive batting, innovative shot‑making, and the ability to accelerate at will are prized attributes. Young cricketers worldwide now look to Sharma’s innings as a blueprint for how to dominate in the shortest format, balancing power with precision and maintaining composure under pressure. Looking ahead, Sharma’s record‑breaking performance is likely to boost his confidence and secure his place as a mainstay in India’s limited‑overs squads.
It also adds a fresh narrative to the ongoing rivalry between India and Afghanistan, a fixture that has grown in intensity as both teams vie for supremacy in the sub‑continent’s cricketing calendar. In summary, Abhishek Sharma’s 30‑ball hundred against Afghanistan not only rewrote the record books for Test‑nation batsmen but also reinforced his reputation as one of the most explosive talents in contemporary cricket. His blend of power, skill, and situational awareness makes him a valuable asset for India, and his achievement will be remembered as a milestone in the annals of T20 International cricket.