Fastest T20I Hundreds for India: Key Players

Rohit Sharma – The Record-Breaker

Fastest T20I Century by an Indian

Rohit Sharma holds the record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian. He achieved this remarkable feat against Sri Lanka in Indore on December 22, 2017. He scored his century in just 35 balls, an innings that helped cement his reputation as one of the most destructive T20I batsmen in the world. Rohit’s blitz in this match included several boundaries and sixes, as he dominated the Sri Lankan bowlers with ease.

Rohit Sharma’s T20I Prowess

Rohit is known for his ability to play explosive innings, and his record for the fastest T20I century showcases his exceptional power-hitting abilities. His timing, ability to find gaps, and immense hitting range make him a dangerous proposition in the shortest format. This century also helped India chase down Sri Lanka’s total comfortably, underlining his importance to the team in T20 cricket.

Abhishek Sharma – Rising Star with Explosive Power

Second-Fastest T20I Century by an Indian

Abhishek Sharma made headlines with his century off 37 balls against England in Mumbai on February 2, 2025. This blistering knock marked his entry into the list of India’s fastest century scorers in T20Is. His remarkable innings was filled with aggressive strokes, showcasing his ability to dominate the bowlers right from the start.

Abhishek Sharma’s Playing Style

Abhishek’s aggressive yet controlled batting style has made him a key figure in India’s T20 setup. Known for his ability to hit the ball hard and clear boundaries with ease, his fast century against England is a testament to his growing stature in the shortest format of the game. His consistency and flair have made him a player to watch for the future.

KL Rahul – The Elegant Stroke-Maker

Third-Fastest T20I Century by an Indian

KL Rahul’s century off 46 balls came against the West Indies in Lauderhill on August 27, 2016. Rahul’s knock displayed his class and composure as he guided India to a comfortable total. Known for his elegant strokeplay, Rahul’s century was a balance of aggression and precision, marking him as one of India’s most dependable T20 players.

KL Rahul’s Contribution to Indian Cricket

KL Rahul has been an essential part of India’s T20I and limited-overs sides, with his ability to anchor the innings or accelerate when required. His adaptability to different batting positions and his ability to shift gears as per the match situation make him an invaluable asset to the Indian team. His T20I century against the West Indies was a key contribution to India’s dominance in the format.

Suresh Raina – The Captain of T20 Success

Fourth-Fastest T20I Century by an Indian

Suresh Raina’s century off 53 balls came against South Africa during the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies. This knock not only helped India post a massive total but also demonstrated Raina’s power-hitting abilities in big tournaments. His performance in this match made him one of the most reliable players in the Indian T20 setup.

Suresh Raina’s Role in T20 Cricket

Raina is known for his dynamic role as a middle-order batter and his contributions as a fielder and occasional bowler. He was a vital player for India in the T20I format, with his attacking approach and ability to finish games making him an indispensable part of the squad. Raina’s T20I century remains one of the most memorable performances in World T20 history.

Surya Kumar Yadav – India’s T20I Maestro

Introduction

Surya Kumar Yadav, often referred to as SKY, is one of the most talented and explosive middle-order batsmen in world cricket, particularly in the T20I format. With his innovative stroke play, unconventional shots, and ability to dominate any bowler, Surya Kumar has become a match-winner for India in the shortest format of the game. His consistency, ability to adapt to different match situations, and aggressive approach have made him a key player in India’s T20 lineup.

Early Life and Background

Birth and Family

Surya Kumar Yadav was born on September 14, 1990, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He hails from a middle-class family, with his father being a civil servant. Surya’s early interest in cricket was nurtured by his family, and his dedication to the sport led him to play for various age-group teams.

Domestic Cricket Journey

Surya Kumar started his domestic career with Mumbai in 2010. Over the years, he became an integral part of Mumbai’s domestic cricket setup. His performances in the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy helped him gain recognition. Surya’s consistent batting performances caught the eye of the national selectors, and he was soon called up to play for India.

International Career

T20I Debut and Rise

Surya Kumar made his T20I debut for India against England in March 2021. Despite his limited exposure in the early stages, he quickly became a key figure in India’s T20 team. His breakthrough performance came during India’s 2021 T20I series against England, where he showcased his attacking skills and proved his potential in the shortest format.

Explosive Batting Style

Surya Kumar’s batting style is characterized by his ability to score quickly and his versatility. He has the unique ability to hit the ball all around the ground, often playing shots in areas where most other players hesitate. His 360-degree game, which includes innovative reverse sweeps, flicks, and stylish cover drives, has made him one of the most unpredictable and exciting players in T20 cricket.

Impact on India’s T20I Success

Since his debut, Surya Kumar has been one of India’s standout performers in T20I cricket. His aggressive middle-order batting has provided India with the ability to accelerate in the latter stages of the innings. Surya’s ability to score quick runs, especially in high-pressure situations, has helped India finish strong in many T20I matches. His consistency in scoring runs in various conditions and his ability to adapt his game to the situation has made him a key player for India.

Record-Breaking Performances

Surya Kumar Yadav has achieved several remarkable milestones in his T20I career, including being one of the fastest players to reach 1,000 T20I runs. His impressive strike rate, combined with his ability to play impactful innings in high-pressure situations, has made him one of the most feared T20 batsmen in world cricket.

Fastest T20I Hundreds by Indian Batsmen

Surya Kumar Yadav’s explosive batting abilities place him among the greats of Indian T20 cricket. Though he hasn’t yet scored a century as fast as some of the other Indian players, he has had a tremendous impact on India’s T20I success. To provide context, here are the fastest T20I centuries by Indian players:

• Rohit Sharma – 35 balls: Rohit’s 35-ball century against Sri Lanka in 2017 remains the fastest by an Indian.
• Abhishek Sharma – 37 balls: Abhishek Sharma’s recent century against England in 2025 is the second-fastest century by an Indian.
• KL Rahul – 46 balls: KL Rahul’s 46-ball century came against West Indies in 2016.
• Suresh Raina – 53 balls: Raina’s century in the 2010 ICC World T20 against South Africa came off 53 balls.
• Yusuf Pathan – 37 balls: Pathan’s century came against New Zealand in the 2010 ICC World T20, making it one of the fastest.

Surya Kumar Yadav’s Future in T20 Cricket

As one of the most dynamic and stylish batters in T20 cricket, Surya Kumar Yadav is widely regarded as one of the future stars of Indian cricket. His ability to innovate and perform under pressure is key to India’s success in T20 cricket, and he is expected to continue playing a major role in their future campaigns.

Batting Strengths and Techniques

360-Degree Player

Surya Kumar’s key strength lies in his ability to play shots all around the ground. His 360-degree batting makes him one of the most unpredictable players in world cricket. Whether it’s playing a reverse sweep, cutting the ball over covers, or flicking it over fine leg, Surya can play any shot to any ball in his range. His diverse shot selection makes him a challenge for bowlers and one of the most entertaining players to watch.

Playing Under Pressure

Surya Kumar thrives in pressure situations. Whether it’s chasing a challenging total or accelerating during the death overs, he has the temperament to handle high-pressure scenarios. His ability to maintain his composure and continue his aggressive approach under pressure has made him a key finisher for India.

Innovative Shots

Surya Kumar is known for his innovative strokeplay. He has made unconventional shots such as the “scoops”, “helicopter flicks”, and “reverse sweeps” part of his repertoire, which sets him apart from other players. These shots not only demonstrate his skill but also his willingness to take risks and entertain the crowd.

Yusuf Pathan – The Explosive All-Rounder

Fifth-Fastest T20I Century by an Indian

Yusuf Pathan struck a century off 37 balls against New Zealand during the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies. His innings, filled with blistering shots, helped India set a challenging target. His power-hitting was on full display as he cleared boundaries with ease, making a significant contribution to India’s total.

Yusuf Pathan’s Impact on T20 Cricket

Yusuf Pathan is well known for his all-round abilities, offering both batting strength and useful off-spin bowling. His explosive batting in the middle order made him a formidable presence in the T20 format, and his ability to shift the game’s momentum in a matter of overs made him one of India’s most dangerous players in the T20 World Cup.