Nagpur, India – January 21, 2026: Indian opening batter Abhishek Sharma scripted cricketing history during the first T20 International against New Zealand in Nagpur, becoming the fastest player ever to reach 5,000 runs in T20 cricket.
In a blistering performance, the 25-year-old left-hander smashed 84 runs off just 35 balls, including eight sixes and five fours, propelling India to a formidable 238/7 total—one of their highest T20I scores against New Zealand.
Sharma reached the 5,000-run mark in just 2,898 balls, eclipsing the previous record held by West Indies’ Andre Russell, who took 2,942 balls to the same milestone.
His remarkable achievement underlines his consistency and explosive batting across global T20 leagues, the Indian Premier League (IPL), and international cricket. No other batter has reached 5,000 T20 runs with a comparable strike rate of over 170, a testament to Sharma’s aggressive and effective style.
- 84 runs off 35 balls with a 172+ strike rate.
- Fastest T20I fifty by an Indian against New Zealand: 22 balls.
- Became the first batter to record eight half-centuries in T20Is in 25 balls or fewer, surpassing players like Suryakumar Yadav, Phil Salt, and Evin Lewis.
India’s commanding total laid the foundation for a 48-run victory over New Zealand in the opening T20I of the five-match series. The innings featured explosive contributions from Rinku Singh and disciplined bowling that kept the Kiwi chase under pressure throughout.
Sharma’s performance not only delivered a series-starting win but also sent a strong signal ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, showcasing India’s depth in power-hitting and versatile batting options.
By re-writing the record books at a young age, Abhishek Sharma has firmly established himself as one of the premier T20 batsmen in the world, blending fearless strokeplay with remarkable consistency. His ability to score quickly and change the course of games will make him a pivotal figure in India’s T20 setup going into future global tournaments.
