Abhishek Sharma etched his name in the record books during the first T20I between India and England, becoming the fastest Indian to hit 100 sixes in T20 Internationals. The explosive left-handed opener reached the milestone in just 37 innings, surpassing the previous record held by Rohit Sharma, who took 43 innings to achieve the feat.
Record-Breaking Innings
Playing at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 22, 2025, Abhishek Sharma smashed a blistering 79 off 34 balls, including five fours and seven sixes. His seventh six of the innings took him past the 100-mark in T20I sixes. The 24-year-old from Punjab now has 105 sixes in T20Is, placing him third among Indians behind Rohit Sharma (205) and Suryakumar Yadav (135).
Fastest to 100 Sixes in T20Is
Globally, Abhishek Sharma's 37 innings is the second fastest to 100 T20I sixes, only behind West Indies' Evin Lewis, who achieved the feat in 34 innings. He also broke the record for the fastest Indian, previously held by Rohit Sharma (43 innings). Suryakumar Yadav took 45 innings to reach the mark.
Match Context
Abhishek Sharma's knock powered India to a mammoth total of 234/4 in their 20 overs, setting up a commanding position against England. His aggressive batting at the top of the order has been a hallmark of India's T20 approach under the new regime. Speaking after the innings, India's batting coach said, "Abhishek's ability to clear the boundaries consistently makes him a special talent."
Impact on Indian T20 Cricket
Abhishek Sharma's rapid rise has solidified his place in India's T20 setup. Since his debut in July 2024, he has amassed 1,024 runs at a strike rate of 186.18, with eight half-centuries. His six-hitting prowess has drawn comparisons to West Indian power-hitters, and he is now seen as a key player for India in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
