Abhishek Sharma smashes fastest T20I century among Test-playing nations

The Indian opener raced to a fifty off just 16 balls, taking only 14 more to get to his ton. | Photo Credit: AFP

Abhishek Sharma lit up the Arun Jaitley Stadium in the third T20I against Afghanistan in New Delhi with a scintillating century off just 30 balls, making it the fastest ton in T20I history among Test-playing nations.

Rohit Sharma held the record for India previously, with a 35-ball ton against Sri Lanka in 2017. Abhishek bettered his compatriot’s mark by an incredible five-ball margin.

Overall, he bettered Finn Allen’s 33-ball effort against South Africa in Kolkata this year, among players from Test-playing nations.

The Indian opener raced to a fifty off just 16 balls, taking only 14 more to get to his ton. He rang in the hundred with Erling Haaland’s signature ‘Zen’ celebration. Abhishek eventually fell for 108 off 34 balls. His blinder of an innings featured nine fours and eleven sixes.

Fastest T20i centuries in men’s cricket:

27 — Sahil Chauhan (Estonia) vs Cyprus, Episkopi, 2024

29 — Muhammad Fahad (Turkey) vs Bulgaria, Sofia, 2025

30 — Abhishek Sharma (India) vs Afghanistan, Delhi, 2026*

33 — Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (Namibia) vs Nepal, Kirtipur, 2024

33 — Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) vs Gambia, Nairobi, 2024

33 — Finn Allen (New Zealand) vs South Africa, Kolkata, 2026