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 country. The milestone came during India’s home encounter with Afghanistan in Delhi, where Sharma unleashed a blistering 108 runs off just 34 balls, a knock that featured an on‑slaught of 11 sixes and nine fours. This explosive innings not only propelled India to a commanding total of 221 for 7 but also eclipsed the previous best of 33 balls set by New Zealand’s Finn Allen and Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza.
Allen’s rapid ton was achieved against South Africa in the semi‑final of the T20 World Cup held in Kolkata earlier in the year, while Raza’s century came against Gambia in Nairobi in October 2024. By surpassing both, Sharma’s 30‑ball hundred became the fastest by any player from a nation that regularly competes in Test cricket, underscoring his growing stature on the international stage. When placed in a broader context, Sharma’s feat ranks third on the overall list of fastest men’s T20I centuries.
The record is held by Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan, who smashed a hundred off just 27 deliveries against Cyprus in 2024, followed closely by Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad, who reached the landmark in 29 balls against Bulgaria a year later. In the women’s game, the fastest T20I hundred belongs to West Indies’ Deandra Dottin, who struck a 38‑ball ton versus South Africa during the 2010 World Cup in St Kitts. Sharma’s innings was instrumental in India’s dominant performance, as Afghanistan were bowled out for a meagre 94, handing the hosts a comprehensive 127‑run victory and sealing a 3‑0 series whitewash. The young batsman’s contribution extended beyond his batting; he also took a crucial catch at deep mid‑wicket, dismissing Afghanistan’s Sediq Atal with a well‑timed slog sweep, demonstrating his all‑round fielding prowess.
The 30‑ball century adds a significant chapter to Sharma’s burgeoning T20I career. It marks his third hundred in the format, placing him third on the all‑time list of Indian players with the most T20I centuries, trailing only the prolific Rohit Sharma (five centuries) and the dynamic Suryakumar Yadav (four centuries). Rohit Sharma himself held India’s previous record for the fastest T20I hundred, achieved in 35 balls against Sri Lanka in Indore back in 2017. Sharma’s rapid scoring ability is not confined to the international arena.
Earlier in 2024, he registered an even faster hundred in domestic T20 cricket, blasting 100 runs off just 28 balls for Punjab in a match against Meghalaya. This domestic performance foreshadowed his capacity to dominate bowlers with sheer aggression and precision. The match also featured a noteworthy spell from India’s pace attack.
Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed three wickets in the decisive 12th over, effectively dismantling Afghanistan’s batting line‑up and ensuring the chase collapsed well before the allotted 20 overs. India wrapped up the innings in just 14.1 overs, cementing a 127‑run margin that reflected both their batting firepower and bowling efficiency. Looking ahead, Sharma’s record‑breaking century is likely to boost his confidence and solidify his role as a key finisher for India in the shortest format. His ability to accelerate the scoring rate, coupled with his fielding contributions, makes him a valuable asset in high‑pressure situations such as World Cup matches and bilateral series.
As the Indian team prepares for upcoming international fixtures, Sharma’s form suggests he could be a pivotal figure in shaping the outcome of close contests. In summary, Abhishek Sharma’s 30‑ball hundred against Afghanistan not only shattered the previous benchmark for the fastest T20I century by a Test‑playing nation’s batsman but also positioned him among the elite fast‑scorers in the global game. His achievement, combined with a dominant team performance that resulted in a series sweep, highlights a bright future for both the player and Indian cricket in the dynamic, fast‑paced world of Twenty‑20 cricket.