13 mammoth sixes! Most by an Indian T20I batter! | Check out records broken by Abhishek at Wankhede
Abhishek Sharma has etched his name in the record books following a sensational display of power hitting in the fifth and final T20I against England at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The young left-handed batter produced an explosive 135-run knock that not only propelled India to a commanding total but also set new benchmarks in T20I cricket, leaving the visiting England side utterly bewildered.
Sharma, who was asked to bat by England’s captain Jos Buttler, took full advantage of the powerplay overs, scoring with unrelenting aggression. His knock, which included an unprecedented 13 sixes—the most ever hit by an Indian batter in a T20I innings—saw him dismantle England’s bowlers with ease. This powerful assault surpassed the previous Indian record for most sixes in a T20I, held by Yuvraj Singh with 12 sixes against Australia in 2007.
Breaking Records: Abhishek Sharma’s Explosive Knock
Sharma’s remarkable innings didn’t just end with hitting a record number of sixes. His 135 runs are now the highest individual score for India in a T20I match, cementing his position as one of the brightest emerging talents in international cricket. His performance also marked the second-fastest century ever for an Indian in T20Is, coming off just 37 balls. The fastest T20I century for India remains with Rohit Sharma, who achieved his ton off 35 balls against Sri Lanka in 2017.
Key Stats from Abhishek Sharma’s Record-Breaking Innings:
- Highest individual T20I score for India: 135
- Second-fastest T20I century for India: 37 balls
- Second-fastest T20I fifty for India: 17 balls
- Most sixes by an Indian batter in a T20I: 13
Sharma also achieved the remarkable feat of reaching his fifty in just 17 balls, becoming the second-fastest Indian to do so, behind Yuvraj Singh, who scored a blistering 50 off just 12 balls in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. Sharma's rapid-fire fifty was highlighted by consecutive sixes off pacer Jamie Overton, demonstrating his fearless approach against top-tier fast bowlers.
A Record-Setting Century and Historic Fastest T20I Ton
Notably, Sharma’s blistering century is now the fastest ever in terms of overs faced in a T20I, achieved in just 10.1 overs. This surpassed the previous record held by South Africa’s Quinton de Kock, who reached his century off 10.2 overs against the West Indies in Centurion in 2023.
Abhishek's century also makes him the third-fastest player in T20I history to reach the hundred-run mark among full-member nations, achieving it off just 37 balls. The top three fastest T20I centuries for full-member teams now stand as follows:
- David Miller (South Africa): 35 balls vs Bangladesh, Potchefstroom, 2017
- Rohit Sharma (India): 35 balls vs Sri Lanka, Indore, 2017
- Abhishek Sharma (India): 37 balls vs England, Wankhede, 2025
Sharma’s Performance Against England and the Series Context
The dazzling 135-run knock came in a match that, despite being a dead rubber, gave India a thrilling display of aggressive cricket. Earlier, England’s captain Jos Buttler won the toss and invited India to bat first. While the outcome of the match had no impact on the series result—India having already clinched the series—Sharma’s performance was a fitting highlight to close out a dominant series for India.
Despite the brilliance of Sharma, the match saw early setbacks for India. Sanju Samson, who had struggled throughout the series, was dismissed cheaply for 16 runs off just 10 balls in the second over, caught off Mark Wood’s bowling. This marked yet another disappointing outing for Samson, who had failed to capitalise on his opportunities throughout the series, managing only 35 runs off 29 balls.
However, Sharma's display of brute force quickly overshadowed Samson's early exit, as he took a special liking to England's pacers, particularly Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton. In the entire series, Sharma faced a total of 32 balls from Archer, accumulating 60 runs at a strike rate of 187.40. He was undeterred by the challenge of facing Archer’s pace and Mark Wood’s relentless aggression, taking the attack to them with remarkable ease.
A New Era for Indian Cricket
Abhishek Sharma’s astonishing performance in Mumbai highlights the growing depth in India’s T20I batting lineup, with emerging players like him making a significant impact at the international level. With such aggressive knocks, Sharma has firmly placed himself in contention for more frequent appearances in the senior team, especially with the T20 World Cup on the horizon.
Sharma’s fearless approach to batting, his ability to take on fast bowlers, and his quick adaptation to the powerplay phase make him an exciting prospect for Indian cricket. His performance in this series will undoubtedly spark discussions on his potential to be a key player for India in the shortest format of the game.
Looking Ahead
As India continues to shape its T20I lineup with an eye on future global tournaments, Sharma’s performances are sure to be closely monitored. His knock in Mumbai, not only for its record-breaking numbers but for the audacity and flair with which it was executed, has given Indian fans plenty to look forward to in the years to come.
In conclusion, Abhishek Sharma's fiery 135-run innings has not only set numerous records but also marked the arrival of a potential future star in T20I cricket. His ability to take on the world’s best bowlers with such ease signals a new era for India’s batting, one that is fearless, aggressive, and full of potential.