96 vs 86: Abhishek Sharma leaves Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in chase as India’s six-run run goes awry

Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Image credit: BCCI) NEW DELHI: The battle between Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has taken an interesting turn in 2026. Abhishek has now moved 10 sixes ahead of Sooryavanshi, with the India opener hitting 96 sixes in all of T20 cricket this year compared to the youngster’s 86.Abhishek hit another 11 sixes on Thursday as he smashed 108 off just 34 balls against Afghanistan in the third and final T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.His breathtaking knock included a 30-ball century, the fastest T20I set by an Indian batsman. It was also the fastest batting century by a full member country against another full member country.Abhishek leads Sooryavanshi by six strokesAbhishek’s 96 sixes in 2026 are the second most by an Indian batter in a calendar year in all T20s.His own record is 108 sixes which he hit in 2025. He also hit 87 sixes in 2024.Sooryavanshi’s 86 sixes in 2026 is currently fourth on the list.

India hit the most sixes in a calendar year in all T20s

SixesBatterYearBalls for six108Abhishek Sharma20257.3596Abhishek Sharma20266.6487Abhishek Sharma20246.5486Vaibhav Sooryavanshi20264.9985Suryakumar Yadav202210.05While Abhishek hit more sixes overall in 2026, Sooryavanshi hit each ball more often, compared to 4 to 9 more sixes Abhishek has 6.64.

Abhishek’s 11 sixes against Afghanistan

Abhishek produced another powerful masterclass against Afghanistan.He smashed 108 off just 34 balls and hit 11 sixes and nine fours. It was his third century in T20Is.Most of his sixes went straight over the bowler’s head. He attacked both pace and spin and kept finding the boundary throughout his innings.When India batted first for the first time in the series, Abhishek made full use of the opportunity.He brought up his fifty from just 16 balls before completing his century from 30 balls.

Fastest T20I century by a Full Member batter

Abhishek’s 30-ball century was the fastest T20I set by a batsman from a full member state.He surpassed the previous mark of 33 balls jointly held by Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza and New Zealand’s Finn Allen.It was also the fastest batting century by a full member country against another full member country.

Fastest T20I batting hundreds by Full Member teams

BallsBatterMatchVenueYear30Abhishek Sharma (India)India vs Afghanistan Delhi202633Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)Zimbabwe vs GambiaNairobi (Ruaraka)202433Finn Allen (New Zealand)New Zealand vs South AfricaKolkata202635David Miller (South Africa)South Africa vs Rohch Bangstroom3Po5555 (India)India vs Sri LankaIndore2017Abhishek also broke former India captain Rohit Sharma’s record in fastest T20I century by an Indian. Rohit scored against Sri Lanka in Indore in 2017 with his 35 balls.

Abhishek is among India’s greatest six hitters

Abhishek’s 11 sixes against Afghanistan also put him second in the list of most sixes by an Indian batsman in a T20I innings.He is only behind his own record of 13 sixes, which he hit against England in Mumbai in 2025.

Most sixes by an Indian batter in a T20I innings

SixesBatterOpponentVenueYear13Abhishek SharmaEngland Mumbai WS202511Abhishek SharmaAfghanistanDelhi202610Rohit SharmaSri LankaIndore201710Sanju SamsonSouth AfricaDurban202410Tilak VarmaSouth AfricaJohannesburg202410Ishan KishanNew ZealandThiruvananthapuram2026

India race to 100 in the powerplay

Abhishek’s six knocks helped India race to 100 without loss in the first six overs.It was India’s highest powerplay score in T20Is.Sanju Samson also played his part as he scored a smooth 50 off 35 balls to reach his second consecutive 50+ score.With both Indian openers in good form, Sooryavanshi did not get an opportunity in the playing eleven in the series.

Abhishek’s special celebration

Abhishek completed his century in the ninth over.A strong pull from Abdullah Ahmadzai saw him reach 99 before taking a single to bring up his hundred.He then removed his helmet, sat on the ground and celebrated with a meditative pose as the Delhi crowd applauded the odd innings.India eventually finished at 221 for seven. Afghanistan restricted India to 37 runs in the last five overs and claimed four wickets during that period.