Abhishek Sharma Surpasses Kohli, Makes T20 History With 35-Ball Century Against New Zealand

A Historic Performance in Wellington

Indian opener Abhishek Sharma delivered a masterclass in aggressive batting during the third T20I against New Zealand, reaching a century in just 35 balls. The innings, which saw India race to 168/1 in only 9.3 overs in pursuit of a 199-run target, cemented Sharma’s status as one of the most prolific hitters in modern T20 cricket. Reaching the milestone with a boundary off Kyle Jamieson in the ninth over, Sharma celebrated his achievement with a meditative pose, a calm contrast to his explosive display at the crease.

Climbing the Fastest-Century Rankings

This performance marks Sharma's second appearance on the list of fastest T20I hundreds by batters from Full Member nations. While his 35-ball effort places him in esteemed company alongside Rohit Sharma and David Miller—both of whom achieved the feat in 2017—it is his 30-ball century against Afghanistan in 2026 that continues to hold the top spot on this leaderboard. The consistency of his power-hitting has now firmly established him among elite international match-winners.

Moving Past T20 Legends

Beyond the speed of his latest century, the innings marked a significant shift in career statistics. By recording his 11th century in men's T20 cricket, Sharma has moved ahead of cricketing icons Virat Kohli and David Warner, who both currently sit on 10 centuries.

On the all-time list of most T20 centuries, Sharma now ranks third among active players, trailing only Babar Azam (13) and the record-holder Chris Gayle (22). This trajectory highlights a rapid ascent, as Sharma continues to outperform long-standing benchmarks set by his predecessors.

Context and Impact

Sharma’s contribution was the cornerstone of India’s aggressive chase. His performance followed a record-breaking powerplay where India scored 118 runs without loss in the opening six overs, effectively neutralizing New Zealand’s target of 198/3.

As the sport evolves, analysts and fans alike are tracking these milestones to measure the shifting dynamics of T20 batting. Readers interested in the specific data points regarding player statistics and historical match records can verify these figures through the official reporting provided by the source.

For more information on the match details and updated player rankings, please visit the official news report at: https://news.abplive.com/sports/cricket/ind-vs-nz-3rd-t20i-fastest-hundred-abhishek-sharma-joins-top-6-twice-surpasses-virat-kohli-1873410