Some records take years to build. Virat Kohli spent over a decade and a half crafting his. Abhishek Sharma — barely a few seasons into his IPL career — just pulled up alongside him in a flash of blazing strokeplay against Delhi Capitals. Nine T20 hundreds. Same as Kohli. And he got there in a fraction of the time.
Abhishek Sharma vs DC, IPL 2026 — The Innings at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | SRH vs DC, IPL 2026 (Match 31) |
| Date | April 21, 2026 |
| Venue | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad |
| Abhishek’s Score | 135* off 68 balls |
| 100 Reached in | 47 deliveries |
| Fours / Sixes | 10 fours, 10 sixes |
| SRH Total | 242/4 in 20 overs |
| Milestone | 9th T20 hundred — equals Virat Kohli’s Indian record |
| Orange Cap | Yes — first batter to 300 runs in IPL 2026 |
Most T20 Hundreds by an Indian — Where Does Abhishek Stand?
| Player | T20 100s | Innings Taken | Highest Score | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | 9 | 184 | 148 | 174.62 |
| Virat Kohli | 9 | 350+ | 122 | 135.21 |
| Rohit Sharma | 8 | 454 | 121 | 135.00 |
| Ishan Kishan | 7 | 226 | 113 | 143.00 |
| KL Rahul | 7 | 300+ | 132 | 137.00 |
The numbers tell a story on their own. Abhishek reached 9 T20 centuries in just 184 innings — compared to Kohli’s 350+. And with a strike rate of 174.62, he’s in a different gear to every batter on this list.
A Season of Redemption — Then One Night of Brilliance
It hadn’t been a smooth IPL 2026 campaign for Abhishek heading into Tuesday’s clash. A couple of fifties scattered between mediocre scores had left fans wondering when the explosive opener they know would finally show up. Against Delhi Capitals, he showed up with a vengeance.
He didn’t ease into the innings. He exploded. The hundred arrived in just 47 deliveries — one of the fastest centuries of the tournament — and he didn’t stop there. He eventually remained unbeaten on 135 off 68 balls, a knock that powered SRH to a massive 242/4 in their 20 overs.
This was also only his second IPL ton overall — his first came in 2025. The timing of this one, though, carries far more weight.
Equalling Kohli — What Makes This So Remarkable
To understand just how extraordinary this record is, consider the context. Virat Kohli is widely regarded as one of the greatest T20 batters of his generation, an innings-builder who played across formats for nearly two decades at the highest level. Abhishek Sharma, playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, is doing this in his mid-20s, at a strike rate that is frankly outrageous.
The gap in innings taken — 184 vs 350+ — says everything about the pace at which this young man is accumulating milestones. He’s currently the IPL 2026 Orange Cap holder and the first player this season to breach the 300-run mark.
For a deeper dive into IPL 2026 stats and standings, check out TechnoSports’ IPL 2026 coverage.
TechnoSports Verdict
Abhishek Sharma isn’t just a talented young batter anymore — he’s a record-breaker, a match-winner, and increasingly, the heartbeat of SRH’s batting lineup. Equalling Virat Kohli’s T20 hundred tally at 184 innings is one of those milestones that makes you stop and recalibrate just how good this player already is. If he keeps this up, Kohli’s record won’t just be equalled — it’ll be left behind.
