Abhishek Sharma Hits Fastest T20I Century by an Indian in 30 Balls Against Afghanistan

There is a new benchmark that Indian cricket can boast about. Abhishek Sharma scored a century within 30 balls playing against Afghanistan in the third T20I match in New Delhi on Thursday, creating a record for the fastest century in the T20I format by an Indian batter and guiding India to clinch a clean 3-0 sweep of the series.

His innings was such a one that brings the stadium to silence, followed by a storm. Abhishek Sharma reached his century mark scoring 9 fours and 11 sixes before being dismissed by Rashid Khan for 108 runs off 34 balls.

Fastest T20I Century: Abhishek Sharma Breaks Rohit Sharma’s Record

Until Thursday, Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball century against Sri Lanka in 2017 was the fastest T20I century scored by an Indian. Abhishek improved the record by five balls.

It also became his third fastest century in T20I cricket. The fastest century in T20Is is scored by Sahil Chauhan of Estonia in 27 balls while Muhammad Fahad of Turkey managed a century in 29 balls.

The fact becomes all the more interesting since Abhishek’s 30-ball century became the fastest century in T20I cricket for batters from ICC full member nations.

Fastest 100 in T20I: Where Does Abhishek Rank?

The above statistics make sense of why searches for fastest century in T20, fastest 100 in T20 and fastest T20 century in international cricket have spiked with respect to this game.

India vs Afghanistan: Best Ever Performance from the Batter

Abhishek was not the only one who contributed to the blistering start of India. Together he and Sanju Samson managed to rack up 142 runs where Sanju Samson made 50 and India scored 100 within powerplay. India finished their innings with a total of 221/7.

As for Afghanistan, their chase never looked settled. Axar Patel took two quick wickets while Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravi Bishnoi completed the task with three wickets each. Afghanistan were bowled out for 94 leaving India victorious by 127 runs, making it a series clean sweep.

As far as the followers of India vs Afghanistan series are concerned, DemocraX has covered the first T20I between the two teams where Abhishek had already shown what he is capable of doing with an 82 run score.

Fastest Century in T20 International Cricket: The Significance of This Record

There is a significant distinction between the fastest ever T20I century and the fastest century hit by an Indian or full member nation batsman.

Abhishek’s hundred from 30 balls does not supersede the overall T20I century record held by 27-ball Sahil Chauhan. But then it sets a new standard for India and eclipses a record which was held in the name of Rohit Sharma since 2017.

And it is probably that which makes his inning stand out among all other big scores. Abhishek had already made 82 in the first match of the series, three games down the line he was at the centre of the most explosive Indian T20I moment.

India won the series 3-0. Abhishek Sharma won the moment and the Indian record books.

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