Abhishek Sharma's 30-Ball T20I Ton Record Under Threat? Ex-India Coach Backs New Zealand Star

Former India cricketer and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar believes New Zealand opener Finn Allen has the ability to match Abhishek Sharma's record-breaking 30-ball T20I century during the upcoming five-match series, citing the Kiwi batter's six-hitting prowess and the favourable conditions in New Zealand. The five-match T20I series between India and New Zealand begins on November 22 in Christchurch. The contest is expected to feature a fascinating battle between two of the most explosive openers in world cricket, Abhishek Sharma and Finn Allen.

Abhishek holds the record for the fastest T20I century by a player from a Test-playing nation after smashing a 30-ball hundred against Afghanistan earlier this year. Allen, meanwhile, owns the fastest century across ICC T20 and ODI World Cups, having reached the milestone in 33 balls against South Africa.

Speaking on JioHotstar's Out or Not Out, Nayar said Allen has the game to challenge Abhishek's record.

"In their conditions, Finn Allen is a very lethal and dangerous player because the boundaries are small. The ground dimensions, pitches and bounce in New Zealand suit his game. He is the kind of player who, if he gets going, makes it very difficult for the opposition to stop the runs because he hits sixes, not boundaries.

"And when the ground dimensions are small, that kind of player can often score those quick hundreds, which he has done in the past. So, I have a feeling that it is possible. I am not saying it will happen, but it is possible," said the former India assistant coach.

The 27-year-old Allen has played 62 T20Is for New Zealand, scoring 1,663 runs in 61 innings at an average of 28.67 and a strike rate of over 170, with three centuries and seven fifties.

In 26 T20Is in New Zealand, Allen has scored 737 runs at an average of 29.48 and a strike rate of 175.89, including one century and four fifties.

This year, Allen has amassed 378 runs in 10 T20Is at an average of 54.00 and a strike rate of more than 202, with one century and two fifties. His highest score is an unbeaten 100.

Across all T20 cricket in 2026, Allen has scored 1,496 runs in 53 matches at an average of 31.16 and a strike rate of 180.67, including three centuries and six fifties.

Abhishek, meanwhile, has scored 956 runs in 34 T20Is this year at an average of 28.96 and a strike rate of 201.68, with one century and eight fifties.

Earlier this year, he became the sixth Indian batter to reach the 2,000-run mark in T20Is. Overall, Abhishek has amassed 2,071 runs in 67 T20Is at an average of 32.35 and a strike rate of 194.09, with three centuries and 14 fifties.

Across all T20 cricket in 2026, he has scored 1,519 runs in 49 matches at an average of 32.31 and a strike rate of 202.80, including two centuries and 12 fifties. His highest score this year is 135 not out.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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