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Abhishek Sharma’s 135-run masterclass against England in the 5th T20I will be remembered as one of the most destructive innings in India‘s T20I history that helped the host in winning the game by the margin of 150 runs. From breaking records for the most sixes in an innings, fastest milestones, and highest partnerships, to registering his name among the fastest centurions in global T20Is, Abhishek’s performance was nothing short of a spectacle. With this historic knock, he has firmly announced himself as a potential T20 superstar, setting the stage for a bright future in Indian cricket.
Abhishek Sharma breaks records with his masterful century
1. Record-breaking six-hitting display
Abhishek’s innings was highlighted by his ability to clear the ropes at will, as he smashed 13 sixes, setting a new record for the most sixes hit by an Indian batter in a T20I innings. This feat saw him surpass the previous best of 10 sixes, jointly held by Rohit Sharma against Sri Lanka in 2017, Sanju Samson against South Africa in 2024, and Tilak Varma in the same match. His incredible hitting display saw him dispatch the ball to all parts of the ground, leaving the English bowlers with no answers to his brutal assault.
2. Fastest century for India in a full-member T20I
Abhishek reached his century in just 10.1 overs, making it the second-earliest T20I hundred ever recorded. The only batter to reach the milestone earlier is Sahil Chauhan, who smashed a century in 8.6 overs for Estonia against Cyprus in 2024. However, in matches involving full-member nations, Abhishek now holds the record for the fastest century in terms of overs taken, a testament to his fearless and ultra-aggressive batting approach.
3. Blazing powerplay: Most runs by an Indian batter in the first six overs
Abhishek made his intentions clear right from the first over, racing to 58 runs by the end of the powerplay, setting a new record for the most runs scored by an Indian batter in the first six overs of a T20I. His aggressive stroke play ensured that India got off to a flying start, dismantling England’s new-ball attack and putting the visitors on the back foot early. His ability to find the boundary effortlessly, both against pace and spin, showcased his exceptional hand-eye coordination and shot-making prowess.
Also READ: Abhishek Sharma opens up on fulfilling Yuvraj Singh’s wish after dazzling ton in 5th T20I – IND vs ENG
4. Highest run rate for a 100-plus partnership in India’s T20I history
During his breathtaking knock, Abhishek was involved in a 115-run partnership with Tilak, which came off just 7.1 overs, at an astonishing run rate of 16.04. This now stands as the highest run rate for any 100-plus stand by an Indian pair in T20Is, surpassing the 15.45 run rate achieved by Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya, who had added 103 off 6.4 overs against New Zealand in 2023. The partnership was a perfect blend of power-hitting and aggressive stroke play, keeping the opposition under relentless pressure.
5. Highest individual score by an Indian in men’s T20Is
With his breathtaking knock of 135, Abhishek now holds the record for the highest individual score by an Indian batter in T20Is, surpassing Gill’s 126 against New Zealand in 2023. His innings was a display of fearless and calculated aggression, as he maintained an exceptional strike rate throughout his stay at the crease. The way he dominated the English bowlers with precise shot selection and clean hitting showcased his ability to convert a good start into a monumental innings, setting a new benchmark for Indian batters in T20 cricket.
6. Youngest Indian to smash six T20 hundreds before turning 25
Abhishek’s latest ton took his tally of T20 centuries to six, including two in T20Is, making him one of the most prolific young batters in the shortest format. He now joins Gill as the only two Indian batters to have registered six T20 centuries before turning 25. Remarkably, two of Abhishek’s six tons have come in less than 40 balls, including a 28-ball hundred in December 2023, showcasing his ability to score at an electrifying pace. His rapid rise in T20 cricket has positioned him as a key player for India’s future in the shortest format.
Special mentions: Other milestones of Abhishek
1. Second-fastest century by an Indian in T20Is
Abhishek reached his hundred in just 37 balls, making it the second-fastest century ever by an Indian in men’s T20Is, only behind Rohit’s 35-ball century against Sri Lanka in 2017. Globally, this ranks as the eighth-fastest T20I century, putting him among the elite power-hitters in the format. His ability to maintain an explosive strike rate throughout his innings demonstrated his remarkable consistency and temperament in high-pressure situations.
2. Second-fastest fifty by an Indian in T20Is
Before reaching his century, Abhishek had already stunned the cricketing world by bringing up his fifty in just 17 balls, making it the second-fastest fifty for India in T20Is. The only Indian batter to reach the milestone quicker remains Yuvraj Singh, who famously smashed a 12-ball fifty against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup, featuring his iconic six sixes in an over. Abhishek’s whirlwind half-century ensured that India had an explosive start, setting the stage for a mammoth total.
