Abhishek Sharma produced a record-breaking batting display against Afghanistan in the third T20I in New Delhi, smashing a century from just 30 balls at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
The Indian opener’s explosive knock became the fastest T20I hundred by a batter from a Test-playing nation, improving on the previous benchmark by three deliveries.
Abhishek was in attacking mode from the outset and needed only 16 balls to complete his half-century. He accelerated further after reaching the landmark, taking just another 14 deliveries to move from 50 to 100.
The century also saw Abhishek rewrite India’s record books. Rohit Sharma had previously held the national mark after reaching three figures from 35 balls against Sri Lanka in 2017. Abhishek shaved five deliveries off that record with his breathtaking effort against Afghanistan.
He also went past New Zealand batter Finn Allen, who had struck a 33-ball century against South Africa in Kolkata earlier in 2026.
Abhishek marked his record century with Erling Haaland’s signature ‘Zen’ celebration. His innings eventually ended at 108 from only 34 deliveries, having struck nine fours and 11 sixes.
Despite the extraordinary pace of the innings, Abhishek’s century stands third on the overall list of fastest hundreds in men’s T20 internationals.
Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan continues to hold the overall record after scoring a 27-ball century against Cyprus at Episkopi in 2024. Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad is second following his 29-ball hundred against Bulgaria in Sofia in 2025.
Behind Abhishek are three players with 33-ball centuries. Namibia’s Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton achieved the feat against Nepal in Kirtipur in 2024, while Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza matched that mark against Gambia in Nairobi later that year. Allen joined them with his century against South Africa in Kolkata in 2026.
Nepal’s Kushal Malla, who struck a 34-ball hundred against Mongolia in Hangzhou in 2023, also features among the quickest centurions.
But among players representing Test-playing nations, the night in Delhi belonged to Abhishek, whose 30-ball assault established a new benchmark in T20I batting.
