Abhishek Sharma, a 23-year-old cricketer smashed 8 sixes to score his first T20I century in just 46 balls. The sunrisers star became the 10th Indian to achieve this milestone in T20 international cricket.

In only his second international match, Abhishek from Punjab reached his century in 46 balls, attacking Zimbabwe’s bowlers in the second T20I of a five-match series in Harare on Saturday, July 7. He hit eight sixes and seven boundaries, making it the third fastest century by an Indian in men’s T20 internationals.

Abhishek was on 28 off 24 balls by the eighth over, stabilizing the innings with Ruturaj Gaikwad after the early loss of captain Shubman Gill. Then he unleashed his power, scoring the next 72 runs in just 22 balls with a flurry of sixes.

Despite a duck in his debut match, Abhishek didn’t shy away from his aggressive style. He scored 28 runs in one over from Dion Myers, reaching his fifty in the 11th over with a massive six. This over included two sixes and three boundaries, shifting the momentum back to India.

Abhishek’s power hitting display stuns opponents

In the 14th over, Abhishek hammered Zimbabwe’s Wellington Masakadza for three consecutive sixes, reaching his century with the third six. He attempted another big shot on the next ball but was caught out.

Abhishek’s hundred was the first T20I century by an Indian against Zimbabwe in men’s cricket, and he became the 10th Indian to score a T20I hundred overall.

He had a stroke of luck when Zimbabwe dropped him on 27, a mistake that proved costly. The drop happened in the 8th over, bowled by Luke Jongwe, and was caught by Masakadza at long-off.

Abhishek received a warm round of applause from his teammates, with head coach VVS Laxman and captain Shubman Gill congratulating him on his spectacular performance.