Abhishek Sharma smashes 30‑ball T20I century to become India’s fastest hundred scorer
The left‑handed opener struck a 108‑run, 30‑ball century in the third T20I at New Delhi, eclipsing Rohit Sharma’s record and moving into the world’s top‑three fastest hundreds.
What happened
Abhishek Sharma blasted a 108‑run knock off 34 balls in the third T20 International against Afghanistan on Thursday, 17 September 2026. He reached his hundred in just 30 deliveries – five balls fewer than Rohit Sharma’s 35‑ball Indian record set against Sri Lanka in 2017. The left‑handed opener’s assault included 11 sixes and nine fours, taking the team to a flawless 100/0 after six overs, the highest powerplay total in a T20I for India.
Who was involved
The innings was played at New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. Opening partner Sanju Samson anchored the other end while Afghanistan’s pace attack, led by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mohammad Nabi, struggled to contain Sharma. Spin wizard Rashid Khan finally broke the onslaught in the 10th over, dismissing Sharma after he had added eight more runs to finish on 108. India’s side was captained by Shreyas Iyer, with Tilak Varma promoted to number three after Sharma’s departure. Afghanistan’s XI featured captain Ibrahim Zadran, wicket‑keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz and all‑rounder Rashid Khan.
Why it matters
Sharma’s 30‑ball hundred places him third on the all‑time list of fastest T20I centuries, behind Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan (30 balls) and Turkey’s Muhammad Fahad (30 balls) – a rare achievement for a player from a full‑member nation. It also makes him the quickest centurion against a Test‑playing side, eclipsing the previous benchmark held by Finn Allen’s 33‑ball ton earlier in the year. The record underscores India’s depth in the shortest format and adds a new milestone to Sharma’s emerging career, which already includes three T20I centuries and a dozen half‑centuries.
What happens next
India already sealed the three‑match series 2‑0 after winning the first two games. With the series now a dead rubber, the team can experiment with the batting order – Tilak Varma will get a longer stay at number three, while the bowlers will look to fine‑tune strategies ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup qualifiers. Afghanistan, on the other hand, will hope to salvage a win in the final match to avoid a whitewash.
Key numbers
- 30 balls – balls taken by Sharma to reach 100 (fastest by an Indian).
- 108 runs off 34 balls – Sharma’s final score.
- 11 sixes, 9 fours – boundary count.
- 100/0 in six overs – India’s highest powerplay total in T20Is.
- Previous Indian record: 35 balls by Rohit Sharma (Indore, 2017).
Key numbers
- 30
- 108 off 34 balls
- 35 balls by Rohit Sharma, 2017
- Third‑fastest T20I hundred globally
