Abhishek Sharma smashes new record: Fastest batters to hit 1000 T20I runs by balls faced

Jatin

Fastest batters to hit 1000 T20I runs [Source: @BCCI, @AatifNawaz, @Prajwal2742/x.com]Fastest batters to hit 1000 T20I runs [Source: @BCCI, @AatifNawaz, @Prajwal2742/x.com]

Abhishek Sharma’s purple patch just keeps getting better. The young Indian opener has been batting like a dream and at the Gabba during the AUS vs IND 5th T20I, he added another feather to his cap by becoming the fastest player to reach 1000 runs in T20 Internationals (by balls faced) among Full Member nations.

The southpaw got there in just his 29th innings, needing only 528 balls to hit the milestone. For a man who made his T20I debut in July 2024, that is an astronomical rise. Abhishek reached the mark with a boundary-filled cameo against Australia when he crossed 11 runs in just seven balls to get his name in the record books. 

With this, he leapfrogged some big names to sit at the top of the pile. Let’s take a look at the top four fastest to 1000 runs in T20Is by balls faced among Full Member nations.

4. Glenn Maxwell: 604 balls

Australian maverick, Glenn Maxwell, has been redefining T20 batting for more than a decade. His unorthodox style and audacious shot selection have made him a nightmare for bowlers worldwide. The “Big Show” reached the 1000-run mark in just 604 deliveries. Whether it’s scoops over fine leg or switch hits into the stands, Maxwell has made T20 batting look like street cricket with flamboyance.

Since his debut in 2012, he has been a match-winner on countless occasions, scoring over 2800 runs in 126 T20Is at a strike rate north of 155. His five T20I centuries speak volumes about his explosiveness and ability to single-handedly change games in a matter of overs.

3. Phil Salt: 599 balls

England’s Phil Salt has been nothing short of electric in the shortest format. The right-hander plays with the intent of a man late for a flight from the very first ball. His aggressive approach at the top has been key to England’s fearless T20 brand. Salt stormed to 1000 runs in just 599 balls.

Since his debut, he has piled up 1540 runs in 50 T20Is with a strike rate touching 170, including four hundreds and seven fifties. When Salt gets going, he dismantles attacks. England’s batting depth might be enviable but Salt’s presence ensures they are always off to a flying start.

2. Suryakumar Yadav: 573 balls

The modern-day artist of T20 cricket and India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, takes second place. SKY reached his first 1000 runs in just 573 ball, not surprising for a man who redefined shot-making. His ability to hit boundaries 360 degrees around the ground makes him a nightmare to set fields against.

Since debuting in 2021, Suryakumar has been a backbone of India’s T20 setup, scoring over 2754 runs in 95 T20Is at a mind-boggling strike rate above 160. His sensational strokeplay makes him one of the most watchable players in world cricket. For a player who began his international career at 31, his rise has been nothing short of staggering.

1. Abhishek Sharma: 528 balls

And now, the new record-holder. Abhishek Sharma’s fearless batting has lit up T20 cricket since his debut. The left-hander reached 1000 T20I runs faster than anyone in terms of balls faced, a jaw-dropping 528 deliveries. What is more impressive is that he has done it while opening in powerplays, taking on the best new-ball bowlers and still maintaining a strike rate close to 190.

With two centuries and six fifties in just 28 innings, Abhishek’s rise has been incredible. His 135 against England earlier this year showed he is not just a dasher, he is a match-winner. Calm head, quick hands and zero fear, that is Abhishek Sharma’s T20 formula. If he keeps going like this, Indian cricket might just have its next superstar already locked in.