96 vs 86: Abhishek Sharma leaves Vaibhav Sooryavanshi chasing as India’s six-hitting race takes a twist

NEW DELHI: The six-hitting battle between Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has taken an fascinating flip in 2026. Abhishek has now moved 10 sixes forward of Sooryavanshi, with the India opener hitting 96 sixes in all T20 cricket this 12 months in comparison with the teenager’s 86.

Abhishek added 11 extra sixes to his tally on Thursday, smashing 108 off simply 34 balls towards Afghanistan within the third and last T20I on the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

His breathtaking knock included a 30-ball century, the quickest T20I hundred by an Indian batter. It was additionally the quickest century by a batter from a Full Member nation towards one other Full Member nation.

Abhishek leads Sooryavanshi in six-hitting

Abhishek’s 96 sixes in 2026 are the second-most by an Indian batter in a calendar 12 months in all T20s.

His personal report stands at 108 sixes, which he hit in 2025. He additionally hit 87 sixes in 2024.

Sooryavanshi’s 86 sixes in 2026 are presently fourth on the record.

India batters with most sixes in a calendar 12 months in all T20s

While Abhishek has hit extra sixes total in 2026, Sooryavanshi has cleared the boundary extra often, hitting one six each 4.99 balls in comparison with Abhishek’s 6.64.

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Abhishek’s 11 sixes towards Afghanistan

Abhishek produced one other power-hitting masterclass towards Afghanistan.

He smashed 108 off simply 34 balls, hitting 11 sixes and 9 fours. It was his third century in T20Is.

Most of his sixes went straight over the bowler’s head. He attacked each tempo and spin and saved discovering the boundary all through his innings.

With India batting first for the primary time within the collection, Abhishek made full use of the chance.

He introduced up his fifty off simply 16 balls earlier than finishing his century off 30 balls.

Fastest T20I century by a Full Member batter

Abhishek’s 30-ball century was the quickest T20I hundred by a batter from a Full Member nation.

He went previous the earlier mark of 33 balls, collectively held by Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza and New Zealand’s Finn Allen.

It was additionally the quickest century by a batter from a Full Member nation towards one other Full Member nation.

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Fastest T20I a whole bunch by batters from Full Member groups

Abhishek additionally broke former India captain Rohit Sharma’s report for the quickest T20I century by an Indian. Rohit had scored his century off 35 balls towards Sri Lanka in Indore in 2017.

Abhishek amongst India’s greatest six-hitters

Abhishek’s 11 sixes towards Afghanistan additionally put him second on the record of most sixes by an Indian batter in a T20I innings.

He is behind solely his personal report of 13 sixes, which he hit towards England in Mumbai in 2025.

Most sixes by an Indian batter in a T20I innings

India race to 100 in powerplay

Abhishek’s six-hitting helped India race to 100 for no loss within the first six overs.

It was India’s highest rating within the powerplay in T20Is.

Sanju Samson additionally performed his half, scoring a fluent 50 off 35 balls for his second successive fifty-plus rating.

With each India openers in good type, Sooryavanshi has not bought a chance within the taking part in XI within the collection.

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Abhishek’s particular celebration

Abhishek accomplished his century within the ninth over.

He reached 99 with a strong pull off Abdullah Ahmadzai earlier than taking a single to convey up his hundred.

He then eliminated his helmet, sat on the bottom and celebrated with a meditation pose because the Delhi crowd applauded the particular innings.

India ultimately completed on 221 for seven. Afghanistan restricted India to 37 runs within the last 5 overs and picked up 4 wickets throughout that interval.