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 by a batsman from a full‑member Test‑playing country. The milestone came during a high‑octane encounter against Afghanistan at the iconic Delhi stadium, where Sharma unleashed a ferocious 108 runs off just 34 balls, a blitz that featured an astounding eleven sixes and nine fours. Sharma’s explosive innings not only eclipsed the previous benchmark of a 33‑ball century set by New Zealand’s Finn Allen, but also surpassed the effort of Zimbabwe’s all‑rounder Sikandar Raza, who had also reached the three‑figure mark in 33 deliveries.
Allen’s rapid ton was achieved in the T20 World Cup semi‑final against South Africa in Kolkata earlier this year, while Raza’s milestone came against Gambia in Nairobi in October 2024. By outpacing both, Sharma now holds the distinction of the fastest T20I hundred recorded in a match involving two full‑member Test nations.
On the broader international stage, Sharma’s 30‑ball blitz places him third on the all‑time list of fastest men’s T20I centuries. 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 quickest century was posted by West Indies’ Deandra Dottin, who struck a 38‑ball hundred versus South Africa during the 2010 World Cup in St Kitts. Sharma’s thunderous knock was pivotal in propelling India to a formidable total of 221‑7.
The target proved too much for Afghanistan, who crumbled to 94 all out, handing India a comprehensive 127‑run victory and sealing a 3‑0 series whitewash. This triumph not only underscored India’s dominance in the series but also added a third T20I century to Sharma’s burgeoning résumé, placing him behind only Rohit Sharma (five centuries) and Suryakumar Yadav (four centuries) in the Indian T20I record books.
The previous fastest Indian T20I century was recorded by Rohit Sharma, who reached 100 in 35 balls against Sri Lanka in Indore back in 2017. Sharma’s own domestic credentials are equally impressive; he once compiled a 28‑ball hundred for Punjab against Meghalaya in the 2024 domestic T20 competition, demonstrating his ability to dominate both international and domestic arenas. Beyond his batting heroics, Sharma contributed in the field by taking a crucial catch at deep mid‑wicket, dismissing Afghanistan’s Sediq Atal with a well‑timed slog sweep.
The Indian side’s bowling attack, led by Nitish Kumar Reddy’s three‑wicket haul in the decisive 12th over, wrapped up the Afghan innings in just 14.1 overs, cementing the emphatic series win. Sharma’s record‑breaking performance arrives at a time when T20 cricket continues to evolve, with power hitters pushing the limits of what is possible in a 20‑over format.
His ability to combine aggressive stroke play with composure under pressure highlights the depth of talent emerging from India’s cricketing pipeline. As the sport’s popularity surges globally, milestones like Sharma’s serve as a reminder of the ever‑increasing standards and the excitement that T20 cricket delivers to fans worldwide. Looking ahead, Sharma’s achievement is likely to inspire both his teammates and aspiring cricketers across the subcontinent. With his aggressive approach and knack for scoring at a breakneck pace, he is poised to become a mainstay in India’s limited‑overs line‑up, potentially influencing the team’s strategies in upcoming international fixtures and major tournaments.
In summary, Abhishek Sharma’s 30‑ball century against Afghanistan not only set a new record for the fastest T20I hundred by a batsman from a Test‑playing nation but also reinforced his status as one of the most dynamic and promising talents in modern cricket. His innings, characterized by sheer power, precision, and an unrelenting desire to dominate, will be remembered as a landmark moment in the annals of T20 cricket history.