Abhishek Sharma Smashes Fastest T20I Century by Full-Member Batter
During the third T20I match against Afghanistan at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on September 17, 2026, Abhishek Sharma achieved a century in just 30 deliveries, thereby establishing a new record for the fastest T20I century ever scored by a batter from an ICC Full-Member nation.
He subsequently scored 108 runs off 34 balls, including 9 fours and 11 sixes. Abhishek was dismissed in the tenth over with India at 142 for 1, having completed his half-century off 16 balls and requiring only 14 more deliveries to reach three figures. At the other end, Sanju Samson, the opening partner, contributed 34 runs off 25 balls.
On October 23, 2024, Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe established the previous Full Member benchmark of 33 balls against Gambia. Finn Allen of New Zealand subsequently matched it against South Africa on March 4, 2026. Abhishek’s endeavor is three balls faster than the shared mark.
What is the overall comparison of Abhishek Sharma century across all T20I records?
In the broader T20I list, which includes Associate nations, Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan retains the outright fastest century at 27 balls, which he achieved against Cyprus in 2024.
In 2025, Muhammad Fahad of Turkey achieved a 29-ball century against Bulgaria in Sofia, securing the second position on the all-format list. Abhishek’s 30-ball performance ranks third overall, but it is the only one among Full Member batters.
Abhishek Sharma also succeeded in erasing the national record of India. As of December 22, 2017, Rohit Sharma had maintained that record by scoring a 35-ball century against Sri Lanka in Indore. The new record is five balls quicker than Rohit’s effort.
The numbers further emphasize the rapidity of the innings: Abhishek Sharma contributed just over 76% of India’s total of 142 for 1 at the time of his dismissal, striking one six every 3.09 deliveries during his 34-ball stay.
This is one of the most destructive T20I innings ever recorded in the format due to the general dominance over a Full Member attack and the combination of boundary frequency.
How does this century fit into Abhishek Sharma’s T20I career?
This was Abhishek Sharma third T20I century, a feat that distinguishes him among the elite players in Indian cricket. Only Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav have scored more centuries for India in the T20I format, with 5 and 4 centuries, respectively.
Abhishek Sharma sudden ascent to three T20I hundreds underscores his status as a match-winning player at the top of the order.
The knock also emphasizes the evolution of T20I batting standards at the highest level from a broader perspective. Abhishek’s capacity to sustain a rate of 30 balls per over against international-quality bowling while accelerating from a 16-ball fifty to a 30-ball hundred sets a new standard for the potential of India’s top order in the powerplay and beyond.
