Abhishek Sharma Creates History
Abhishek Sharma Sets a New Indian T20I Batting Record: Indian opener Abhishek Sharma produced a record-breaking performance against Afghanistan on 17 September 2026, scoring a century from only 30 balls in the third T20I at New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. His explosive innings helped India defeat Afghanistan by 127 runs and complete a 3–0 series sweep.
The left-handed batter reached three figures five deliveries faster than the previous Indian record held by Rohit Sharma, who had scored a 35-ball T20I century against Sri Lanka in 2017. Abhishek’s achievement also became the fastest T20I hundred by a batter representing an ICC Full Member nation.
Explosive Start in Delhi
Abhishek attacked from the opening overs and brought up his half-century in 16 balls. He continued the assault against Afghanistan’s pace and spin attack before completing his century in the ninth over. ICC noted that his 16-ball fifty was the joint fourth-fastest by an Indian in men’s T20Is.
He eventually departed for 108 off 34 balls, including 11 sixes and nine fours. His opening partnership with Sanju Samson, who also scored a half-century, gave India a powerful platform for a large total.
Static GK fact: T20I stands for Twenty20 International, the international format in which each side normally faces a maximum of 20 overs.
Fastest T20I Century Among Full Members
Abhishek’s 30-ball hundred moved ahead of the previous 33-ball Full Member records held by Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe and Finn Allen of New Zealand. It also placed him third on the overall list of fastest T20I centuries.
The two faster overall centuries belong to associate-nation batters. Sahil Chauhan of Estonia holds the record with a 27-ball century against Cyprus, while Muhammad Fahad of Turkey reached three figures in 29 balls against Bulgaria.
Abhishek’s Multiple Records
The innings added several milestones to Abhishek’s growing T20I record. He became the first batter to score two T20I centuries in fewer than 40 balls, having previously struck a 37-ball hundred against England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
It was also his third T20I century and made him only the fourth Indian men’s batter to reach three or more hundreds in the format. His 11 sixes were also the second-most by an Indian men’s batter in a T20I innings, according to ICC.
Static GK Tip: The three main international cricket formats are Test cricket, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). T20Is are the shortest of these formats.
India Completes a Series Sweep
India posted 221/7, powered by Abhishek’s century and strong contributions from the top order. Afghanistan was subsequently dismissed for 94, giving India a 127-run victory and a 3–0 series sweep.
The performance also came immediately before India’s participation in the Asian Games in Japan, adding significance to Abhishek’s return to record-breaking form.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Abhishek Sharma Sets a New Indian T20I Batting Record:
| Fact | Detail |
| Player | Abhishek Sharma |
| Record | Fastest T20I century by an Indian |
| Balls Taken | 30 balls |
| Runs Scored | 108 off 34 balls |
| Opponent | Afghanistan |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi |
| Previous Indian Record | Rohit Sharma – 35 balls |
| Previous Record Match | India vs Sri Lanka, 2017 |
| Overall Fastest T20I Century | Sahil Chauhan – 27 balls |
| Series Result | India won the T20I series 3–0 |
