A record falls in Delhi
Abhishek Sharma produced a remarkable innings for India against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday, reaching his century from only 30 balls. That broke Rohit Sharma's Indian record of 35 balls, set against Sri Lanka in Indore in 2017. Abhishek was eventually dismissed for 108 off 34 deliveries, an innings that included nine fours and 11 sixes.[S1][S2]
The 30-ball hundred is also the fastest by a batter from a Test-playing nation in men's T20Is, and the third fastest overall. Only Estonia's Sahil Chauhan, who needed 27 balls, and Turkey's Muhammad Fahad, who needed 29, have reached a T20I century more quickly. Among players from Test nations, Abhishek moved ahead of Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza and New Zealand's Finn Allen, both of whom had reached the mark in 33 balls.[S1][S2]
Powerplay assault sets the tone
Abhishek attacked from the outset, reaching his half-century in 16 balls and then adding his second fifty in just 14 more. He made full use of the powerplay restrictions, hammering 76 runs inside the first six overs, a new record for the highest individual score in that phase of a men's T20I. India's total of 100 in the powerplay was their highest ever in the format's first six overs.[S1][S2]
Sanju Samson supported him at the other end, scoring 50 from 35 balls with four sixes and two fours, rotating the strike and ensuring Abhishek kept facing. The pair kept the scoreboard moving at a rapid rate, leaving Afghanistan's bowlers, including Rashid Khan, with few answers in front of a packed stadium. Abhishek's innings ended on 108 when he edged a Rashid Khan delivery to the wicketkeeper, with India at 142 for one after 9.5 overs.[S1][S2]
A mentor's mark and a student's answer
There is a neat symmetry to the achievement. Yuvraj Singh, who has mentored Abhishek for years, still holds India's fastest T20I fifty, his 12-ball effort against England at the 2007 T20 World Cup. Earlier this year Abhishek came close with a 14-ball fifty against New Zealand, and Yuvraj teased him afterwards about still not managing a fifty from 12 balls. That record remains with the mentor, but the student now owns a major record of his own.[S1]
