“I feel I don't want to restrict any area. I just want to go and express myself. I don't want to force the ball. I just want to see and hit the ball.”
There are innings that win matches, and then there are innings that completely redefine what is possible in a sport. What unfolded at the Arun Jaitley Stadium during the series finale against Afghanistan belonged entirely to the latter category.When the opposition won the toss and elected to field, little did they know what storm was brewing. Walking out to open the innings, Abhishek Sharma didn’t just play a knock—he unleashed a masterclass of absolute power-hitting, rewriting record books and leaving spectators spellbound.
"It all depends on the process. It is very particular for me, whom I am going to take down. I feel once you want to play in this way, it is important that the coach and captain are on your side... we've been doing this for quite a few years now."
A Masterclass in Fearless Striking
From the very first over, the left-hander made his intentions crystal clear. Taking on the pace of Fazalhaq Farooqi and stepping out against the spinners, Abhishek displayed a rare mix of pristine timing and brutal force.He raced to his half-century in just 16 balls, but that was merely the trailer. What followed was an exhibition of sheer dominance. He took down world-class bowlers with surgical precision, clearing the ropes with effortless grace. When he brought up his hundred, the scoreboard showed a mind-boggling milestone: a century in just 30 balls!
- Breaking National Records: With this whirlwind knock, Abhishek shattered Rohit Sharma’s long-standing record of the fastest T20I century by an Indian (which was 35 balls).
- Global Milestone: It also etched his name in history as the fastest T20I centurion from any ICC Full-Member (Test-playing) nation.
- Powerplay Carnage: Propelled by his onslaught, India hammered 76 runs inside the first six overs alone, setting a blazing template for aggressive modern-day cricket.
Before finally being dismissed for a sensational 108 off 34 deliveries—decorated with 9 fours and 11 towering sixes—he had already broken the game wide open.
The Mindset Behind the Magic
Innings like these don't happen by accident. They are born from deep self-belief, relentless net practice, and the courage to back your natural instincts when the lights are shining brightest. Abhishek didn't hesitate or curb his shots; he trusted his preparation and stayed completely in the zone.For cricket fans, it was a reminder of why we fall in love with the shortest format of the game—where the impossible becomes reality in the blink of an eye.
"One or two bad series won't define us as a batting unit, because we wanted to dominate throughout the whole year before the World Cup, no matter against whom we are playing."