Abhishek Sharma made history in the SMAT 2024-25 by scoring a blistering 28-ball century, matching Urvil Patel’s record for the fastest T20 century by an Indian. Sharma’s explosive knock helped his team set a massive total, showcasing his exceptional hitting ability. His record-tying performance adds another remarkable achievement to his growing T20 career.
Abhishek Sharma smashed 106* (29) in the chase of 143 against Meghalaya.
Batting records continue to fall in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024-25, as Punjab opener Abhishek Sharma matched Gujarat’s Urvil Patel’s record for the fastest T20 century by an Indian batsman. Abhishek achieved this remarkable feat by smashing a 28-ball ton against Meghalaya on December 5, 2024, at Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot.
Urvil Patel had set the record on December 3, 2024, with a blistering 28-ball century against Uttarakhand, earning the distinction of the fastest T20 hundred by an Indian batsman. This feat placed him second in the global rankings, just one ball behind Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan, who holds the world record for the fastest T20 century, achieved in 27 balls against Cyprus.
Both players’ explosive performances have ignited excitement in the cricket world, showcasing the growing trend of fast-scoring innings in the shortest format of the game. Abhishek’s achievement, alongside Urvil’s, has added another chapter to the record books, further highlighting the increasing power-hitting prowess of Indian cricketers. These performances reflect the evolution of T20 batting and the intense competition in domestic tournaments like the SMAT.
Abhishek Sharma’s Explosive Century Powers Punjab to Dominant Win
Abhishek Sharma delivered a blistering performance that completely overshadowed Meghalaya’s first-innings total of 142 runs. Chasing a modest target of 143, the left-handed opener, known for his aggressive style while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL, unleashed a relentless assault from the very first ball of his innings. Despite losing two partners for single-digit scores, Abhishek remained unfazed and single-handedly dismantled the opposition’s bowling attack.
In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, Abhishek smashed eight boundaries and 11 towering sixes, racing to an unbeaten 106 runs off just 29 balls. His innings, played at an extraordinary strike rate of 365.51, left spectators in awe and ensured that Punjab reached the target in just 9.3 overs.
Abhishek’s thunderous knock not only sealed an emphatic victory for Punjab but also underlined his reputation as one of the most explosive openers in domestic cricket. This incredible innings is a testament to his ability to dominate bowlers and take the game away from the opposition in no time.
Top 5 fastest T20 hundreds:
| Batsman | Balls | Match | Venue | Year |
| Sahil Chauhan | 27 | Estonia v Cyprus | Episkopi | 2024 |
| Abhishek Sharma | 28 | Punjab vs Meghalaya | Rajkot | 2024 |
| Urvil Patel | 28 | Gujarat v Tripura | Indore | 2024 |
| Chris Gayle | 30 | Royal Challengers Bangalore v Pune Warriors | Bangalore | 2013 |
| Rishabh Pant | 32 | Delhi v Himachal Pradesh | Delhi | 2018 |
Top 5 fastest T20 hundreds by Indians:
| Batsman | Balls | Match | Venue | Year |
| Abhishek Sharma | 28 | Punjab vs Meghalaya | Rajkot | 2024 |
| Urvil Patel | 28 | Gujarat v Tripura | Indore | 2024 |
| Rishabh Pant | 32 | Delhi v Himachal Pradesh | Delhi | 2018 |
| Rohit Sharma | 35 | India vs Sri Lanka | Indore | 2017 |
| Urvil Patel | 36 | Gujarat v Uttarakhand | Indore | 2024 |