Abhishek Sharma, the Punjab opener, made history in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024-25. He scored a blazing century in just 28 balls against Meghalaya. With this knock, Abhishek equaled the record for the fastest T20 century by an Indian, matching Urvil Patel’s achievement.
Abhishek’s Remarkable Knock
Abhishek Sharma remained unbeaten at 106* from just 29 balls during Punjab’s chase of 143. His aggressive innings was filled with 8 fours and 11 massive sixes. Meghalaya’s score of 142 was chased down in just 9.3 overs, with Abhishek dominating the opposition. He batted at an incredible strike rate of 365.51, showing his power-hitting ability.
Breaking Records
The record for the fastest T20 century by an Indian was first set by Urvil Patel in 2024. Urvil smashed a 28-ball century against Uttarakhand. On December 5, 2024, Abhishek Sharma joined him in this elite list by reaching his 100 in the same number of balls.
Abhishek’s innings came after Punjab lost two wickets for low scores. But the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) opener played fearlessly and took control of the game from the beginning. His aggressive style helped Punjab seal an easy win.
Comparison to Global Records
Globally, Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan holds the record for the fastest T20 century, scoring 100 in just 27 balls. Abhishek Sharma and Urvil Patel’s 28-ball centuries now rank as the second-fastest in the world. Below is a table showing the top 5 fastest T20 centuries:
| Batsman | Balls | Match | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahil Chauhan | 27 | Estonia vs Cyprus | Episkopi | 2024 |
| Abhishek Sharma | 28 | Punjab vs Meghalaya | Rajkot | 2024 |
| Urvil Patel | 28 | Gujarat vs Tripura | Indore | 2024 |
| Chris Gayle | 30 | RCB vs Pune Warriors | Bangalore | 2013 |
| Rishabh Pant | 32 | Delhi vs Himachal Pradesh | Delhi | 2018 |
Fastest T20 Hundreds by Indians
Abhishek Sharma and Urvil Patel now share the title for the fastest T20 century by an Indian. Below is a list of the top 5 fastest T20 hundreds by Indian players:
| Batsman | Balls | Match | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | 28 | Punjab vs Meghalaya | Rajkot | 2024 |
| Urvil Patel | 28 | Gujarat vs Tripura | Indore | 2024 |
| Rishabh Pant | 32 | Delhi vs Himachal Pradesh | Delhi | 2018 |
| Rohit Sharma | 35 | India vs Sri Lanka | Indore | 2017 |
| Urvil Patel | 36 | Gujarat vs Uttarakhand | Indore | 2024 |
A Special Achievement
Abhishek Sharma’s 28-ball century is a memorable moment in Indian T20 cricket. His fearless hitting and ability to control the game under pressure made him stand out. This achievement places him alongside some of the best in the world, showcasing his potential as one of India’s rising stars in the shortest format.
Also Read: BGT 2024-25: Wasim Jaffer Wants Washington Sundar Dropped For Ashwin Ahead Of Adelaide Test
