Abhishek Sharma hits 400 T20 sixes, surpasses Gayle in Asian Games final
Synopsis
In a single 28-ball knock against Pakistan at the Asian Games gold medal final, Abhishek Sharma leapfrogged Chris Gayle to become the second-fastest player ever to 400 T20 sixes — and simultaneously claimed second place for most T20 sixes in a calendar year. Only Andre Russell stands ahead of him on both lists.
Key Takeaways
Abhishek Sharma scored a 61 off 28 balls against Pakistan at the Asian Games gold medal final at Karogi Sports Park, Nisshin on 3 October 2026 .
He became the second-fastest player to hit 400 T20 sixes , reaching the milestone in 3,513 balls — ahead of Chris Gayle (3,557 balls) .
Andre Russell (3,027 balls) remains the fastest to 400 T20 sixes.
Abhishek also became the second-fastest to 100 T20 sixes in a calendar year , taking 651 balls in 2026; Russell leads with 589 balls in 2019.
India batted first with an unchanged XI; Pakistan made one change, bringing in Saad Masood for Mohammad Wasim Jr.
India's star opener Abhishek Sharma etched his name into the record books with a blistering 61 off 28 balls against Pakistan in the Asian Games cricket gold medal clash at Karogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on 3 October 2026, registering two landmark milestones in a single knock. The left-hander's innings, which featured seven sixes and three fours, was among the most destructive cameos in Indian cricket's recent history.
The 400 T20 Sixes Milestone
During his blazing innings, Abhishek became only the second-fastest player in history to hit 400 sixes in T20 cricket, measured in balls faced. He reached the landmark off just 3,513 deliveries, displacing Chris Gayle — who had previously held the second spot — from that position. Gayle had achieved the same feat in 3,557 balls. West Indian powerhouse Andre Russell remains the fastest, having reached 400 T20 maximums in just 3,027 balls.
The full ranking for fastest to 400 T20 sixes by balls taken reads: Russell (3,027), Abhishek Sharma (3,513), Gayle (3,557), T. David (3,803), K. Pollard (3,944), N. Pooran (4,045), and E. Lewis (4,072).
100 Sixes in a Calendar Year — Another Record Falls
Abhishek simultaneously became the second-fastest player to hit 100 T20 sixes in a single calendar year, completing the milestone in 651 balls in 2026. He overtook both Dewald Brevis, who achieved the feat in 653 balls in 2025, and Chris Gayle, who managed it in 724 balls in 2016. Once again, Russell tops the chart, having hit 100 T20 sixes in a calendar year off just 589 balls in 2019.
The full ranking: Russell — 589 balls (2019), Abhishek Sharma — 651 balls (2026), Brevis — 653 balls (2025), Gayle — 724 balls (2016), Karanbir Singh — 728 balls (2025).
India vs Pakistan: The Gold Medal Stage
India elected to bat first against Pakistan in the cricket final and fielded an unchanged squad for the title bout. Arshdeep Singh, Yash Thakur, and Vipraj Nigam remained on the bench. Pakistan made one change to their line-up, bringing in batting all-rounder Saad Masood in place of fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jr.
What the Records Signal
Abhishek's double milestone is a marker of his explosive evolution in T20 cricket through 2026. Notably, this is the second calendar year running in which a young batsman — Brevis in 2025, Abhishek in 2026 — has pushed Russell's calendar-year record under serious threat. The Asian Games stage, while not a full ICC event, carries its own prestige, and Abhishek's performance in a pressure gold medal match underlines his big-game temperament. All eyes will now be on whether India convert their first-innings platform into gold.
Point of View
However, is how quickly the second spot on both lists has been contested — Brevis in 2025, Abhishek in 2026 — suggesting the gap between Russell and the chasing pack is narrowing faster than conventional rankings show. What is equally telling is that Abhishek achieved this not in a franchise league but in a high-stakes international final, which should sharpen the conversation about his Test and ODI utility. India's team management would be unwise to treat him purely as a T20 specialist.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Abhishek Sharma set at the Asian Games 2026?
Abhishek Sharma became the second-fastest player to hit 400 sixes in T20 cricket, reaching the milestone in 3,513 balls during the Asian Games gold medal final against Pakistan on 3 October 2026. He surpassed Chris Gayle, who held the previous second-fastest mark at 3,557 balls.
Who is the fastest player to 400 T20 sixes?
Andre Russell holds the record as the fastest player to 400 T20 sixes, achieving it in just 3,027 balls — significantly ahead of Abhishek Sharma's 3,513 and Chris Gayle's 3,557.
What was Abhishek Sharma's score against Pakistan in the Asian Games final?
Abhishek Sharma scored 61 off 28 balls, hitting seven sixes and three fours, in the Asian Games cricket gold medal clash against Pakistan at Karogi Sports Park in Nisshin on 3 October 2026.
What is Abhishek Sharma's second record set in 2026?
He became the second-fastest player to hit 100 T20 sixes in a single calendar year, doing so off 651 balls in 2026. Only Andre Russell, who took 589 balls in 2019, has done it faster.
How did India line up for the Asian Games cricket final against Pakistan?
India opted to bat first and fielded an unchanged XI, with Arshdeep Singh, Yash Thakur, and Vipraj Nigam on the bench. Pakistan made one change, replacing Mohammad Wasim Jr. with batting all-rounder Saad Masood.
