Indian opening batter Abhishek Sharma etched his name deeper into international cricket history on Wednesday, surpassing legendary all-rounder Yuvraj Singh to set a new world record for the most sixes hit by an Indian batsman in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Sharma delivered a blistering performance in the first T20I against New Zealand at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur, scoring 84 runs off just 35 deliveries and smashing eight sixes as India posted an imposing total of 238/7. India went on to dominate the match, securing a 48-run victory over the visiting side.
Sharma’s performance was defined by raw power and exceptional timing, allowing him to overtake Yuvraj Singh’s longstanding six-hitting milestone. Prior to Wednesday’s match, Yuvraj had amassed 74 career sixes in T20Is for India. Sharma reached and then surpassed that total in significantly fewer innings, underscoring his meteoric rise in the shortest format of the game.
In the Nagpur fixture, the left-handed batter reached his half-century in rapid time, reaching 50 in just 22 balls — one of the fastest half-centuries by an Indian in T20I history. His eight maximums came off some of New Zealand’s premier bowlers, with each six energetically clearing the boundary to bring the new record into focus.
Record-Breaking Achievement and Historical Context
Sharma’s total career six count now surpasses that of Yuvraj Singh, elevating him in the list of India’s top T20I six-hitters. The newly updated rankings place Sharma sixth overall among Indian players, behind Rohit Sharma (205), Suryakumar Yadav (156), Virat Kohli (124), Hardik Pandya (106) and KL Rahul (99). This marks a significant milestone for the 25-year-old, who achieved the feat in only 33 T20I appearances, compared with Yuvraj’s 51 matches in the format.
Sharma’s ascent reflects a broader trend in modern T20 cricket, where aggressive batting and high strike rates have become defining characteristics. Analysts note that his ability to clear the rope consistently against high-quality bowling attacks has accelerated his accumulation of sixes far faster than many of his predecessors.
Impactful Innings in India’s Record Total
India’s innings was powered by Sharma’s ferocious display at the top of the order. His 84 runs came at a strike rate well above 200, energizing the lineup and providing the platform for India to post one of its highest T20I totals in recent memory. Rinku Singh contributed 44 not out off 20 balls and Hardik Pandya added a brisk 25, helping India reach 238/7 — a score that proved too formidable for New Zealand’s chase.
New Zealand’s response got off to a shaky start, with key Indian bowlers applying pressure early. The visiting team reached only 52/3 at the end of the seventh over, before Glenn Phillips anchored the innings with a well-compiled 78 off 40 deliveries and Mark Chapman scored 39. Despite their efforts, India’s bowlers rebounded late in the match to restrict the tourists to 190/7. Axar Patel dismissed Phillips but left the field later with a bleeding thumb, adding a twist to the match’s bowling narrative.
Sharma’s Broader T20 Impact and Recent Form
Sharma’s dominance in T20 cricket extends beyond this latest six-hitting record. Earlier in his career, he has broken numerous records, including rapid scoring feats in both domestic and international cricket. In the 2025 Asia Cup, he became the fastest batter to hit 50 T20I sixes in terms of balls faced, achieving that landmark in 331 deliveries and eclipsing a previous global record held by West Indies’ Evin Lewis.
In domestic competition such as the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), Sharma has also been a standout performer. In SMAT 2025, he scored a 12-ball half-century, equalling one of the fastest in T20 cricket and further showcasing the destructive capability that has become his trademark. In the same innings, he blasted 16 sixes in a single match, highlighting his ability to dominate bowling attacks at all levels.
His performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have similarly attracted attention. In 2025, he scored 141 off 55 balls for Sunrisers Hyderabad — one of the highest individual scores by an Indian batter in the competition — drawing praise from cricketing figures and fans alike.
Recognition and Future Prospects
Sharma’s current form and record-setting achievements have positioned him as one of the most influential figures in contemporary T20 cricket. As India prepares for major international fixtures, including the upcoming 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, his continued presence in the top order is expected to be a central component of the team’s strategy. Coaches and selectors have expressed confidence in his ability to influence matches with his aggressive batting style.
The milestone of surpassing Yuvraj Singh — one of India’s most iconic T20 performers — brings Sharma’s career into sharper focus and underscores a shift toward a new generation of dynamic match-winners in Indian cricket.