New Delhi, September 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India opener Abhishek Sharma described breaking Rohit Sharma’s record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian batter as one of his biggest achievements after his stunning 30-ball hundred against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Abhishek smashed 108 off just 34 balls to power India to 221/7 before the hosts defeated Afghanistan by 127 runs and completed a 3-0 series sweep.
His 30-ball century surpassed the previous record of 33 balls, jointly held by Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza and New Zealand’s Finn Allen, for the fastest T20I hundred by a batter from a Test-playing nation.
The fastest century in T20 cricket overall remains Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan’s 27-ball effort.
Abhishek, who registered his third T20 century, reached the landmark with a quick single and briefly meditated on the pitch during his celebration. He was eventually dismissed by Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan after hitting nine fours and 11 sixes.
“It’s a big achievement, not for just me, for all the Indians I could probably say, because I still remember the way Rohit bhaji used to play T20 cricket. I really loved and enjoyed when I was watching back at home and breaking that record, it’s one of my biggest achievements for now,” Abhishek said in a video posted on BCCI.tv.
The left-hander credited the backing of head coach Gautam Gambhir and T20I captain Shreyas Iyer for giving the batting group the freedom to maintain its aggressive approach.
He said defeats in Ireland and England should not overshadow the team’s approach over the previous two years.
“I said on the first day as well when I got the Man of the Match award, we dominated the whole two years before the World Cup and probably just after the World Cup, 1-2 series can’t define our batting department and the way we want to play,” he said.
“It’s our responsibility as a batter to make sure we create that atmosphere again, where we have freedom to just go and express ourselves. Big mention to coach and captain because once they are on your side, I feel it gives you more freedom and confidence,” he added.
Abhishek revealed that Gambhir had specifically encouraged him to set the tempo from the beginning, including during a pre-match team huddle conducted in Punjabi.
“I still remember in the first practice session when we spoke about how we want to dominate again and in that process you have to be fearless, you have to think about the team always,” he said.
He recalled Gambhir’s emphasis on maximising the powerplay and creating an environment in which batters could play without fear.
“GG bhai came to me before the game only that I have to speak in the huddle, so I asked him if I can speak in Punjabi, because I feel when a Punjabi speaks in Punjabi, it actually motivates the whole team,” Abhishek said.
He referred to the players as “Soormas”, meaning warriors, as he sought to build the right intent before the match.
Addressing his teammates, Abhishek said: “I’m going to speak in Punjabi. So, boys, we are going to play like Soormas. Soorma means warriors. The way we’ve been playing this entire series, that’s exactly how we need to finish it today.”
He ended the speech with the Punjabi line, “Chak de phatte, nap de killi, subah Jalandhar, shaam nu Dilli.”
Explaining the lighter ending, Abhishek said the line was a reference to a phrase he associated with former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu and was intended to create a relaxed atmosphere within the team.
Abhishek also spoke about his meditation and visualisation routines, saying they had helped him maintain mental clarity and confidence.
“I feel from the last six months or probably one year, I’ve been doing a bit of manifestation, a bit of meditation and it’s actually helping me a lot,” he said.
He added that he had been exploring meditation and spirituality as part of his personal development and hoped the experience could be useful to other young cricketers.
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