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T20I cricket has evolved drastically over the years, with a noticeable shift from pure technique to power-hitting. Batters now blend precise shots with aggressive striking, adapting their traditional techniques to the high-paced demands of the format. This change has brought about a new generation of cricketers who are capable of accelerating the game, hitting boundaries and sixes at will while also maintaining technical finesse to tackle varying bowling strategies.
Indian Batters: Mastering the art of power hitting
Indian batters have embraced this evolution, showcasing their ability to strike with both power and precision. These players have developed an exceptional knack for playing innovative shots while also maintaining their technical soundness. For instance, KL Rahul‘s consistent boundary-hitting ability, especially his mastery over square drives and cuts, has allowed him to play calculated aggressive shots. His adaptation to power striking has made him one of the most prolific players in T20Is.
As a result, Indian batters have evolved to become true power hitters, capable of changing the course of a game within a matter of overs. The evolution of T20I batting in India has shifted the focus from steady accumulation of runs to high-impact striking, making them formidable in the shortest format. This transformation has ensured that Indian players remain at the forefront of modern T20 cricket, blending technique and explosive power seamlessly.
Top 5 fastest T20I centuries for India
1. Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking knock
Rohit Sharma etched his name in the record books by scoring the fastest T20I hundred for India, achieving the milestone in just 35 balls. His blistering innings came against Sri Lanka on December 22, 2017, during the 2nd T20I at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore. Rohit displayed a masterclass of aggressive batting, smashing 118 runs off 43 balls. His innings featured 12 fours and 10 sixes, with a strike rate of 274.41. Opening the innings, he dominated Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, reaching his hundred in the 12th over of the match. His century equaled David Miller‘s record for the fastest T20I hundred at the time.
Riding on Rohit’s sensational knock and KL Rahul‘s 89 off 49 balls, India posted a mammoth 260/5 in 20 overs. Contributions from MS Dhoni (28 off 21) and Hardik Pandya (10 off 3) further bolstered the total. The Sri Lankan bowlers, including Nuwan Pradeep and Thisara Perera, struggled to contain the onslaught. Chasing 261, Sri Lanka could only manage 172 in 17.2 overs, falling short by 88 runs. Kusal Perera fought valiantly with 77 off 37 balls, but India’s spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav (3/52) and Yuzvendra Chahal (4/52) dismantled the opposition batting lineup. Jaydev Unadkat and Pandya chipped in with crucial wickets.
2. Sanju Samson’s Blazing Century
Sanju Samson lit up the Hyderabad stadium with a scintillating 111 off 47 balls, drawing comparisons to Rohit’s iconic batting style. Samson’s innings was filled with finesse and brute power, featuring 11 fours and 8 sixes, reminiscent of Rohit’s ability to dominate bowlers. Samson’s knock was pivotal in a colossal 173-run stand with Suryakumar Yadav (75 off 35), taking India to an imposing total of 297/6 in 20 overs. The duo’s aggressive approach decimated the Bangladesh bowling attack, much like the impactful partnerships often associated with Rohit at his best. India’s massive score proved insurmountable for Bangladesh, securing a convincing 133-run victory. Samson’s remarkable innings not only mirrored Rohit’s style but also solidified his role as a game-changer in the Indian lineup.
Also WATCH: Sanju Samson’s big six hits a female fan on her face in the 4th T20I
3. Tilak Varma shines with a blazing hundred
Tilak Varma delivered a sensational performance, smashing an unbeaten 120 off just 47 balls at an extraordinary strike rate of 255.31. His innings featured 9 fours and 10 sixes, tearing apart the South African bowling attack and solidifying his position as one of India’s most promising T20 talents. This knock is one of the fastest centuries by an Indian batter in T20Is, showcasing his ability to take on the bowlers from the outset.
Samson also played a pivotal role, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 109 off 56 balls. The duo combined for a massive partnership after the early dismissal of Abhishek Sharma, propelling India to a mammoth total of 283/1 in their 20 overs. Samson’s innings was marked by precise timing and aggressive hitting, including 6 fours and 9 sixes.
In response, South Africa faltered under pressure, bowled out for 148 in 18.2 overs. Arshdeep Singh led the bowling attack with 3/20, dismantling the top order, while Pandya and Axar Patel contributed with economical spells, picking up two wickets each. Varun Chakravarthy also chipped in with key dismissals, ensuring no major resistance from the Proteas. India’s dominant all-round performance resulted in a massive 135-run win, underlining their supremacy in the series.
4. Suryakumar Yadav’s masterclass for India
Suryakumar’s scintillating knock of 112 not out off just 51 balls powered India to a formidable total of 228/5 in the third T20I against Sri Lanka in Rajkot. His innings, studded with 7 fours and 9 sixes, came at a blistering strike rate of 219.60, marking the fourth-fastest T20I century by an Indian. Displaying his full repertoire of innovative shots, Suryakumar’s dominance left the Sri Lankan bowlers helpless. Supported by valuable contributions from Shubman Gill (46) and Rahul Tripathi (35), India set a massive target of 229.
In response, Sri Lanka faltered under pressure and were bundled out for 137 in 16.4 overs, handing India a resounding 91-run victory. Arshdeep led the bowling attack with 3/20, while Pandya and Umran Malik chipped in with two wickets each. This emphatic win secured the series for India 2-1, with Suryakumar Yadav earning well-deserved accolades as the Player of the Match for his extraordinary innings.
5. KL Rahul’s remarkable ton
In a high-octane T20I clash at Lauderhill, KL Rahul lit up the field with a stunning century, scoring 110 off 51 balls to become the fifth-fastest centurion in T20I history. His blistering knock, which included 12 boundaries and 5 sixes, was a showcase of pure power and technique. Reaching his century in just 46 balls, Rahul’s innings was a defining moment in the chase of a daunting 246-run target set by the West Indies.
With India needing 246 runs from 20 overs, the chase started with a bang as Rohit continued his aggressive form, scoring a quick 62 off 28 balls. Rahul’s partnership with him kept the required rate within reach, as they piled on runs relentlessly. However, the West Indies, bolstered by Dwayne Bravo’s 2/37 and crucial overs from Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard, managed to keep the Indian batters under pressure.
In the final stages, Dhoni (43 off 25 balls) played a crucial role in keeping the chase alive, but despite their collective efforts, India fell agonizingly short at 244/4, just 1 run behind West Indies’ total of 245/6. Rahul’s valiant effort, though historic, wasn’t enough to steer India to victory in a thrilling encounter.
