# Abhishek Sharma smashes fastest T20I century by Test nation batter

2026-09-17T15:22:17+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 5 independent outlets

Abhishek Sharma hit a 30-ball century against Afghanistan in the third T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday, the fastest T20I hundred by a batter from a Test-playing nation. The left-handed opener reached his fifty in 16 balls and needed only 14 more deliveries to reach three figures, finishing with 108 off 34 balls, including nine fours and 11 sixes. Sportstar reports he broke Finn Allen's 33-ball record among full member nations, while Times of India notes he also scored 76 not out in the powerplay, the highest individual score in the first six overs of a men's T20I. Abhishek bettered Rohit Sharma's previous Indian record of a 35-ball century against Sri Lanka in 2017, according to Times of India and Freepress Journal. News18 reports India recorded their highest-ever T20I powerplay score, reaching 100 for no loss in six overs. Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bowl, with India leading the three-match series 2-0 already. The knock was Abhishek's third T20I century.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All six outlets covered Abhishek Sharma's innings as a straight sports record story with no political or ideological framing. The uniformity reflects the nature of the event: a batting performance that broke objective records. Sportstar, Times of India, and Freepress Journal led with the fastest-century statistic, while Times of India and News18 also highlighted the powerplay milestone. India TV carried the briefest version. The coverage lacks any critical or pro-government slant because the story contains no governance, policy, or political angle. Readers can rely on the records as reported, with no need to read between lines. India's next T20I assignment is the home series against England in October 2026.

## Coverage

- sportstar.thehindu.com (neutral report) <https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/abhishek-sharma-fastest-t20i-century-india-vs-afghanistan-2rd-t20i-30-ball-hundred-list-of-fastest-centuries/article71477388.ece>
  Straight record-focused report with statistical table, no editorialising
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-afghanistan/abhishek-sharma-enters-record-books-with-highest-individual-score-in-t20i-powerplay/articleshow/134315233.cms>
  Record story with table, mentions series context neutrally
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-afghanistan/abhishek-sharma-hits-fastest-t20i-century-by-an-indian-breaks-rohit-sharmas-record/articleshow/134315127.cms>
  Record story with table, mentions series context neutrally
- freepressjournal.in (neutral report) <https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/abhishek-sharma-smashes-fastest-t20i-century-by-an-indian-gets-100-off-30-balls-in-ind-vs-afg-3rd-t20i>
  Play-by-play with numbers, no stance beyond reporting
- news.abplive.com (neutral report) <https://news.abplive.com/sports/cricket/abhishek-sharma-30-ball-century-fastest-t20i-ton-record-ind-vs-afg-3rd-t20i-1867146>
  AI-generated key points, factual recitation with FAQs
- indiatvnews.com (neutral report) <https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/cricket/abhishek-sharma-breaks-rohit-sharma-s-record-with-swashbuckling-century-vs-afghanistan-2026-09-17-1054546>
  Brief factual opener, no analysis or critique

Tags: Abhishek Sharma, Arun Jaitley Stadium, India vs Afghanistan, Rohit Sharma, T20I
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/abhishek-sharma-hits-fastest-t20i-century-among-test-nations/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/abhishek-sharma-hits-fastest-t20i-century-among-test-nations/#story-in-brief