Punjab opener Abhishek Sharma delivered an electrifying performance at Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024smashing a 28-ball century against Meghalaya in the final match of the group stage on Thursday. This impressive innings saw him equal the record for the fastest T20 hundred by an Indian, a mark recently set by Gujarat’s Urvil Patel in the same tournament.
Breaking the shackles of form: Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek’s fiery knock was nothing short of impressive, propelling Punjab to chase down the target of 143 runs in just 9.3 overs with seven wickets to spare. The left-handed batsman’s innings included an impressive 11 sixes, cementing his place as one of the most destructive hitters in the competition. Prior to this remarkable performance, Abhishek had endured a middling campaign, scoring just 149 runs in six innings with just one fifty to his name. However, Thursday’s innings marked a turning point as the young batter unleashed his full potential for the script story.
Rewriting domestic cricket history: Put together the fastest T20 hundred
Abhishek’s ton was his fourth at the SMAT, making him the leading century scorer in the history of India’s premier domestic T20 tournament, eclipsing Shreyas Iyerthree-ton record. His 28-ball landmark now shares second place on the all-time world list, just behind Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan, who scored a 27-ball century earlier this year. Gujarat opener Urvil had set the benchmark for Indian cricket last week by scoring a 28-ball ton against Tripura. Prior to 2023, the record for the fastest century in the tournament was held by Rishabh pantswho smashed a 32-ball hundred against Himachal Pradesh in 2018.
READ ALSO: Baroda script history with total T20 records in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024
Beating Suryakumar Yadav’s massive record
Abhishek’s blitzkrieg didn’t end with just a century. Smashing 11 sixes in this knock, he broke Suryakumar Yadavhis record for most sixes by an Indian in a calendar year. Suryakumar had hit 85 sixes in 41 innings in 2022, but Abhishek surpassed him with 86 sixes in just 38 innings this year. Suryakumar is also on the third spot with 71 sixes in 33 matches in the year 2022. These outstanding innings not only lifted Punjab to a commanding victory but also firmly established Abhishek as one of the brightest stars in Indian cricket.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Punjab skipper Abhishek Sharma writes his name in lights! 11 sixes, 7 fours and an incredible 28-ball ton. Unstoppable! 💪 #SMAT pic.twitter.com/nIsvCQ3L7h
— SunRisers OrangeArmy Official (@srhfansofficial) December 5, 2024
🚨 ABHISHEK SHARMA – JOINT FASTEST HUNDRED BY AN INDIAN IN T20 HISTORY 🚨
– Abhishek smashed a hundred off just 28 balls on Syed Mushtaq Ali while chasing 143 runs. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/K6PbcWPh4V
— Jones. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 5, 2024
🚨 SUBSCRIBE NOTIFICATION 🚨
FASTEST CENTURY BY AN INDIAN IN T20S.
YES, Urvil Patel HAS A COMPANY. 28-BALL CENTURY for ABHISHEK SHARMA 🔥 #SyedMushtaqAliTrophy
— Kaushik Kashyap (@CricKaushik_) December 5, 2024
Most T20 sixes by an Indian in a calendar year
87* (38 innings) – ABHISHEK SHARMA (2024)
85 (41) – Suryakumar Yadav (2022)
71 (33) – Suryakumar Yadav (2023)
66 (31) – Rishabh Pant (2018)
63 (42) – Shreyas Iyer (2019)
60 (32) – Sanju Samson (2024)#SMAT— Lalith Kalidas (@lal__kal) December 5, 2024
Abhishek Sharma now has the HIGHEST strike rate for a T20 century.
365.52 – Abhishek Sharma (Punjab) v Meghalaya, 2024*
351.21 – Sahil Chauhan (Estonia) v. Cyprus, 2024
322.85 – Urvil Patel (Gujarat) v Tripura, 2024
309.30 – Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) – Gambia, 2024
305.26 – Rishab… pic.twitter.com/mR93tALH8e— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) December 5, 2024
Abhishek Sharma smashed 100 in just 28 balls???? What is he eating.😳
— Bhawana (@cribhawana) December 5, 2024
Hundred for Abhishek Sharma! 💯👏👏
He smashed a hundred in just 28 balls with 7 fours and 11 sixes for Punjab against Meghalaya in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. 🤯🔥🔥
A terrific knock from the Punjab captain, leading the team from the front. 👌#AbhishekSharma #SMAT #SMAT2024 pic.twitter.com/ksrnqZxn99
— Sabir Zafar (@Sabir_Saabu01) December 5, 2024
Abhishek Sharma scored a hundred in just 28 balls in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20. Insane. pic.twitter.com/JDZhoEHjTw
— RATNISH (@LoyalSachinFan) December 5, 2024
A number https://t.co/yQbqrx1nX5
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 5, 2024
Hello. Hello. Hello. https://t.co/mgHQqtmhLR
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) December 5, 2024
Abhishek Sharma has smashed a hundred in just 28 balls, the joint second fastest in T20 cricket. Punjab chase down Meghalaya for 143 in 9.3 overs. Now they await other results to see if they can qualify for the knockouts. #SMAT2024
— Hemant Brar (@HemantBrar_) December 5, 2024
Joint Fastest 💯 in #SMAT ➡️ Abhishek Sharma 100*(28).
Urvil Patel 100*(28)
What entries.
Abhishek Sharma 106*(29).
4 sec. ➡️ 8
6 sec. ➡️ 11
SR ➡️ 365.52@pcacricket#PUNvME #SMAT2024 @SunRisers @IamAbhiSharma4— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) December 5, 2024
🚨 RECORD ALERT 👉 Abhi smashes his way to fastest T20 💯 by an Indian! 🔥
Another day #PlayWithFire for Abhi in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 🤩 pic.twitter.com/J2y4BePzQP
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) December 5, 2024
Urvil Patel made it against Tripura – 28-ball 100. Now, Abhishek Sharma scores a 28-ball ton against Meghalaya. Poor bowlers from Meghalaya.
— Bhaath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) December 5, 2024
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