Abhishek Sharma Becomes India’s New No. 1, Breaks Major Record In First T20i vs Afghanistan - ABP Live English

Abhishek Sharma produced another explosive T20I performance as India defeated Afghanistan by seven wickets in the series opener at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. His 82 off just 32 balls helped India chase down 157 with 38 deliveries to spare.

The left-hander smashed his 12th T20I half-century and dominated Afghanistan’s attack from the outset. After Sanju Samson’s early dismissal, Abhishek joined forces with Ishan Kishan to add 121 runs for the second wicket.

Kishan contributed a fluent 42, but Abhishek’s power-hitting remained the defining feature of India’s comfortable victory.

Abhishek became the fastest Indian batter to reach 6,000 runs in T20 cricket in terms of balls faced. He achieved the landmark in 3,420 deliveries, moving ahead of Suryakumar Yadav’s previous Indian record of 4,017 balls.

Only Finland-born New Zealand batter Finn Allen has reached 6,000 T20 runs quicker, doing so in 3,386 balls. West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell completed the milestone in 3,550 deliveries.

Abhishek also strengthened his position at the top of another T20I record list. His 22-ball fifty against Afghanistan was his 12th score of 50 or more in international T20 cricket that came in fewer than 25 deliveries.

No other batter has reached the mark as many times. Suryakumar Yadav is second on the list, having scored nine such fifties.

Abhishek’s latest half-century also took his tally for 2026 to six. Among batters from ICC full-member nations, only he and Ishan Kishan have registered more than five T20I fifties this year.

Both Indian batters have scored six half-centuries so far, while Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan is next with five.

Abhishek’s record-breaking knock not only powered India to a commanding win in Delhi but also further established him as one of the most destructive batters in the current T20I format.

Abhishek Sharma scored an explosive 82 runs off just 32 balls, helping India chase down 157 with 38 deliveries to spare. He also hit his 12th T20I half-century.

Abhishek Sharma became the fastest Indian batter to reach 6,000 runs in T20 cricket based on balls faced, achieving it in 3,420 deliveries. This puts him ahead of Suryakumar Yadav.

His 22-ball fifty against Afghanistan was his 12th T20I score of 50 or more in under 25 deliveries. No other batter has reached this mark as many times.

Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan lead with six T20I half-centuries each in 2026. They are the only batters from ICC full-member nations with more than five fifties this year.

Prateek Thakur is a Copy Editor at ABP Live English, reporting on major sporting events while spotlighting the human stories of athletes that matter.

You can reach out to him at prateekt@abpnetwork.com.

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