Abhishek Sharma became the fastest Indian to score a T20I ton in just his second innings (Twitter)
In the swashbuckling world of T20 cricket, where every ball is an event and every over can turn the tide, smashing a century no mean feat.
Imagine being a young cricketer and delivering a performance that leaves the crowd in awe, with the commentators running out of superlatives.
That’s precisely what these young Indian batters have done when they etched their names into the history books with their breathtaking centuries.
These innings weren’t just about piling on runs; they were about seizing the moment, taking the bull by the horns, and leaving a massive mark on the cricketing landscape.
At OneCricket, we take a look at the youngest Indian batter to score a T20I century.
Yashasvi Jaiswal (Twitter)
In October 2023, at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, Yashasvi Jaiswal became the youngest Indian to score a T20I century, a performance that was nothing short of a masterclass.
At 21 years and 279 days old, Jaiswal’s knock was an exhibition of controlled aggression and impeccable timing, cutting, pulling, and smashing the ball with ease.
Facing Nepal, Jaiswal dismantled their bowling attack, reaching his fifty off just 22 deliveries. His innings was filled with skilled hitting and calculated risks, not mere slogging.
Bringing up his century in just 49 balls, Jaiswal’s knock included eight boundaries and seven towering sixes. His onslaught was the cornerstone of India’s formidable total of 202 /4.
Nepal, despite a valiant effort, could only muster 179 for 9, handing India a 23-run victory and a place in the semi-finals. Jaiswal’s innings was the stuff of dreams as he announced his arrival on the grand stage in some style.
Shubman Gill (X.com)
Shubman Gill added another feather to his cap with a scintillating century against New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
At 23 years and 146 days, Gill not only scored his maiden T20I century but also registered the highest individual score by an Indian in the format.
Gill’s innings was a laden with elegance and power, reaching his century in just 54 deliveries in the 18th over. He peppered the boundary with ten fours and five sixes, finishing unbeaten on 126 off 63 balls (highest score by an Indian player in the format).
His knock propelled India to a colossal total of 234 for 4. New Zealand, in response, were bundled out for a paltry 66, with Hardik Pandya taking four wickets.
Gill’s innings was a tour de force, showcasing his immense talent and setting new benchmarks in Indian T20I cricket.
Suresh Raina (Twitter)
Suresh Raina is the third youngest Indian to score a T20I century. His memorable knock came against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2010 in the West Indies, at the age of 23 years and 156 days.
Raina’s innings was a rescue mission after India found themselves in trouble at 32 for 2 inside six overs at Saint Lucia. Teaming up with Yuvraj Singh, Raina stabilized the innings with an 88-run partnership.
Initially cautious, scoring just 19 off his first 22 balls, Raina shifted gears brilliantly. He took on the South African bowlers, especially Rory Kleinveldt and Albie Morkel, accelerating the scoring rate.
Raina reached his century with a six on the third ball of the final over but was dismissed on the next delivery, ending with a brilliant 60-ball 101, including nine fours and five sixes as he became the first Indian to score a T20I ton.
India’s total of 186 for 5 proved just enough, as they secured a 14-run victory, thanks to Raina’s heroics.
Abhishek Sharma, playing in just his second T20I, made a mark with a blistering century against Zimbabwe in Harare on July 7, 2024.
At 23 years and 307 days, Abhishek’s century came at a strike rate of 212, a whirlwind knock that left spectators in awe.
After a forgettable debut where he was dismissed for a duck, Abhishek roared back in style. He reached his half-century in 33 balls and then needed just 13 more deliveries to complete his hundred.
His innings was laced with seven fours and eight huge sixes, out of which the last three were hit in succession to reach the three-figure mark.
Abhishek’s 46-ball 100 ended immediately after reaching the milestone, but his rapid-fire century was instrumental in India’s colossal total of 234/2. Notably, it was also the third fastest century for and Indian batter in terms of balls and fastest in terms of innings.
