Key Points
- Abhishek Sharma scored 148 runs off 52 balls at a strike rate of 284.62 for Punjab against Bengal
- Completed half-century in 12 balls, equaling mentor Yuvraj Singh’s record for joint-second fastest by an Indian
- Scored century in 32 balls, matching Rishabh Pant’s record for third fastest T20 century by an Indian
- Hit 16 sixes and 8 fours, breaking his own record for most T20 sixes by an Indian in a calendar year (now 91)
- Abhishek’s 8 T20 centuries equal Rohit Sharma’s record, only Virat Kohli ahead with 9
- Faced Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep, both India bowlers, hitting Shami for 23 runs in one over
- His 12-ball fifty included 5 sixes and 5 fours, with only one dot ball
Punjab captain Abhishek Sharma unleashed carnage with a record-breaking century against Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at Hyderabad’s Gymkhana Ground on Sunday, hammering an unbeaten 148 runs off just 52 balls. The left-handed opener’s explosive knock included 16 sixes and eight fours at a staggering strike rate of 284.62, helping Punjab post a massive total of 310/5 in their 20 overs.
Opening the batting after winning the toss, Abhishek hit the ground running, combining with Prabhsimran Singh to power Punjab to 120 runs in just eight overs. The 25-year-old’s performance was particularly remarkable as he faced a quality Bengal bowling attack featuring India bowlers Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep, clobbering his former Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate Shami for 23 runs in a single over.
12-Ball Fifty Equals Yuvraj Singh’s Record
Abhishek completed his half-century in just 12 deliveries, channeling his mentor Yuvraj Singh to smash five sixes and five fours en route to the milestone, including only one dot ball in those 12 deliveries. This achievement equaled Yuvraj Singh’s record for the joint-second fastest half-century by an Indian, with Yuvraj having scored his 12-ball fifty in a 2007 T20 World Cup match against England where he famously hit six sixes in an over.
What made Abhishek’s half-century even more special was that 50 of his 51 runs at that point came entirely in boundaries, pulverizing the Bengal attack with ruthless precision. The record places him just behind Ashutosh Sharma, who holds the Indian record with an 11-ball half-century scored in 2023 against Arunachal Pradesh.
32-Ball Century Matches Rishabh Pant’s Record
After reaching his fifty, Abhishek continued his assault on the Bengal bowlers, taking 22 more deliveries to reach the next half-century, adding five more sixes and a boundary. He completed his century in just 32 balls, matching Rishabh Pant’s record for the third-fastest T20 century by an Indian.
This was Abhishek’s eighth T20 century, achieved in his 157th innings in the format, equaling Rohit Sharma’s record for most T20 centuries by an Indian. Only Virat Kohli remains ahead with nine T20 centuries, making Abhishek’s achievement even more remarkable. The 32-ball century places him tied for third position with Rishabh Pant, behind Urvil Patel and Abhishek himself, who both hold the record for the fastest T20 century by an Indian at 28 balls each.
Breaking His Own Six-Hitting Records
Abhishek’s innings saw him blast 16 sixes, which is now the joint third-highest in a T20 innings along with Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai and New Zealand’s Finn Allen. More importantly, these 16 sixes helped him break his own record for the most T20 sixes by an Indian in a calendar year.
In 2024, Abhishek had smashed 87 sixes, the highest by an Indian in a single year in the format, and in 2025, he has already added four more to extend the record to 91 sixes. His tally of maximums in this innings also saw him surpass several international records, cementing his reputation as one of the most destructive batsmen in T20 cricket.
Punjab’s Mammoth Total and Team Support
Abhishek’s incredible innings was well-supported by his teammates, with opener Prabhsimran Singh scoring 70 runs off 35 balls, Ramandeep Singh hitting 39 off 15, and Sanvir Singh contributing 22 off just 8 deliveries. The collective firepower helped Punjab finish on 310/5, making them only the second Indian T20 team after Baroda (who scored 312/4 against Sikkim in 2024) to achieve the 300-run landmark.
Punjab’s total of 310/5 ranks among the highest team scores in Indian domestic T20 cricket history, and the massive score was posted despite Abhishek being dismissed in the 18th over by Akash Deep. The statement performance came after Punjab lost their previous game against Haryana in a Super Over, making this victory even more significant.
Comparisons with Other Indian Records
Abhishek’s 148-run innings places him second on the list of most runs scored in a single T20 match for India, just behind Tilak Varma’s 151 runs off 67 balls against Meghalaya. Shreyas Iyer, who scored 147 runs against Sikkim, currently holds the third position.
In terms of fastest centuries, Abhishek’s 32-ball century is tied for third place with Rishabh Pant, while Urvil Patel and Abhishek himself share the record for the fastest at 28 balls each. For half-centuries, Abhishek’s 12-ball fifty is joint-second with Yuvraj Singh, behind only Ashutosh Sharma’s 11-ball record.
Mentorship and Future Prospects
Abhishek’s connection with his mentor Yuvraj Singh adds special significance to his achievement, as he equals the legendary all-rounder’s record while playing for the same state. The 25-year-old’s performance comes at a crucial time as he prepares for India’s T20I series next month, where his form will be closely watched by national selectors.
His ability to dominate quality international bowlers like Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep demonstrates his readiness for higher-level cricket, and his record-breaking six-hitting ability makes him a valuable asset in the shortest format. With his eighth T20 century equaling Rohit Sharma’s record and Virat Kohli’s record of nine centuries within sight, Abhishek Sharma has firmly established himself as one of India’s most exciting T20 batting talents.
