Abhishek Sharma Becomes First Batter To Hit 100 Sixes in T20I Powerplays
Indian sensation Abhishek Sharma has made T20I history, becoming the first batter to smash 100 sixes in the powerplay overs. This groundbreaking achievement came during India's second T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch on October 24, 2026.
India's explosive opening batsman, Abhishek Sharma, 26, etched his name into the annals of T20 International cricket on Saturday, October 24, 2026, by becoming the first player to hit 100 sixes exclusively in the powerplay phase (overs 1-6) of men's T20Is. The historic moment unfolded during the second match of India's T20I series against New Zealand at Christchurch, where his audacious strokeplay once again provided a blistering start to the Indian innings. Wellington Weather Forecast and Rain Chances for India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I 2026.
A Record-Breaking Knock
Sharma reached the unprecedented milestone with a characteristic maximum off New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry in the third over of India's chase. The left-hander, who has redefined aggressive opening in T20I cricket since his debut in 2024, surpassed the previous record held by former Indian captain Rohit Sharma (98 sixes) and New Zealand's Martin Guptill (97 sixes).
In the second T20I, India was chasing a target of 181 set by New Zealand. Despite his record-breaking feat, Sharma's innings was a brisk 27 runs off 21 balls, featuring three fours and one six, before he was dismissed by Mitchell Santner in the ninth over. India eventually won the match by four wickets, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Unmatched Powerplay Dominance
Abhishek Sharma's achievement highlights his remarkable ability to dominate bowlers from the outset. His exceptional powerplay balls-per-six rate stands at an impressive 7.77, the best among all T20I batters, significantly outperforming Rohit Sharma's 17.05 and Martin Guptill's 16.58. This statistic underscores his consistent intent and efficiency in clearing the ropes during the crucial fielding restriction overs.
Most Sixes in T20I Powerplay (Overs 1-6)
| Rank | Batter | Country | Powerplay Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abhishek Sharma | India | 100* |
| 2 | Rohit Sharma | India | 98 |
| 3 | Martin Guptill | New Zealand | 97 |
| 4 | Paul Stirling | Ireland | 94 |
| 5 | Quinton de Kock | South Africa | 87 |
*As of October 24, 2026.
A Stellar Year for Sharma
2026 has been a monumental year for Abhishek Sharma. He was a key member of the Indian squad that triumphed in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup and also secured a gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games, where he scored a crucial 61 off 28 balls, including seven sixes, in the final against Pakistan. Additionally, he holds the record for the fastest T20I century by a batter from a full-member nation, a blistering 30-ball hundred against Afghanistan on September 17, 2026. This year alone, Sharma has accumulated 1,012 runs in 36 T20I innings at an astounding strike rate of 199.60, becoming the first Indian opener to achieve 1,000 T20I runs in a calendar year. Ishan Kishan Ruled Out of IND vs NZ 3rd T20I 2026 Due to Injury.
Sharma's aggressive approach and phenomenal six-hitting ability have cemented his position as one of the most exciting talents in international cricket, setting new benchmarks for opening batters in the shortest format of the game. His relentless attack in the powerplay continues to provide India with decisive advantages at the start of their innings.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 26, 2026 04:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).