Abhishek Sharma sets new T20 standards, nears Virat Kohli's T20 stats
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Indian left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma smashed a terrific century against Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, ending his string of single-digit scores. He broke records for the fastest half-century and most sixes, and also set a new standard with his SMAT century.
Abhishek Sharma, the Indian left-handed opening batter in T20S, has not only been the perfect role model for a modern-day superstar but has also been one of India's most standout players, who has added immense firepower to any team he has played for.
Abhishek plays for India, Sunrisers Hyderabad and his state team, Punjab. The Punjab skipper was not having a promising season, as he had a string of single-digit scores, but he finally broke the shackles with an exciting century.
Abhishek Sharma's amusing SMAT half-century against Bengal
Abhishek Sharma turned his carnage mode on as he assaulted the Bengal bowlers at the Gymkhana Ground in Hyderabad on Sunday morning. Abhishek hit top gear as he blazed past a 12-ball half-century.
However, neither half-centuries nor quickfire innings are anything new for Abhishek Sharma, but what looked exciting was that he started off with a 23-run over against his former SRH teammate Mohammed Shami.
When Abhishek completed his half-century off just 12 balls, he had played just one dot ball and also had taken just one single. His innings came off in no time with 5 fours and as many sixes to his name.
This marks the second-fastest half-century in the history of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the third-fastest in T20 cricket history. Delhi Capitals' Ashutosh Sharma and Nepal's Dipendra Singh Airee have taken just 11 and 9 balls, respectively and are the only ones above him in the list.
Abhishek Sharma equals former Indian great Rohit Sharma's record in T20 cricket
Abhishek batted alongside his opening partner, Prabhsimran Singh, and together the explosive duo took Punjab past 120 runs in less than 8 overs, and the Punjab Kings wicket-keeper too reached his fifty during the partnership.
However, Abhishek never looked in a mood to stop his onslaught as the Southpaw smashed a 32-ball hundred in the innings with 7 fours and 11 sixes to his name. This marked the eighth time he has gone past the triple-digit score in just 157 T20 matches.
He has now equalled the record with former Indian captain Rohit Sharma, and only Virat Kohli is ahead of him with 9 centuries struck by the Indian legend in the T20I format. He, alongside Urvil Patel, now tops the list for having made two quickest centuries in their career.
Abhishek breaks his own record as an Indian batter
The Indian six-hitting master has broken his own record after the stupendous innings in Hyderabad. He had hit 87 sixes in the last calendar year and went on to be the highest six-hitter for India in a single calendar year.
Now, notching up 16 sixes in the 144* innings, he has surpassed his former record of most T20 sixes in a calendar year. Abhishek Sharma has raced to go past 90 sixes during the 2025 season.
At the time of writing, he had 92* sixes to his name, and with the game proceeding, he might be sending a few more out of the park. He might be eyeing a century of sixes, with many more matches in the SMAT and even International cricket left this year.
Most T20 sixes by an Indian in a calendar year
92* (33 innings) – Abhishek Sharma (2025)
87 (38 innings) – Abhishek Sharma (2024)
85 (41 innings) – Suryakumar Yadav (2022)
71 (33 innings) – Suryakumar Yadav (2023)
66 (31 innings) – Rishabh Pant (2018)
63 (42 innings) – Shreyas Iyer (2019)
60 (32 innings) – Sanju Samson (2024)
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Tagged:
India National Cricket Team Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Abhishek Sharma Punjab Ranji Trophy team Urvil Patel PrabhSimran Singh
