India’s explosive opening batsman Abhishek Sharma has become the first person to hit the most sixes in T20 International cricket in a year as a Full Member. The left-handed batsman did it in India's fourth T20I match against West Indies in Hyderabad on October 14, 2026, breaking the previous record set by the Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, who had 68 sixes in the match. Abhishek did it in less than one more maximum to win the record.
I am proud to hold the record, and it is also a big step in Abhishek's international career. The Indian opener is not only dangerous in T20 cricket but so fast and strong, he can hit the ball with accuracy and has proven himself to be in charge of his approach and with his bat speed, approach with the ball in his hands and his ability to score in the middle overs has made him one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world. This week’s victory further strengthens his reputation as one of the world's most destructive six-hitters.
Abhishek had equalled the record of Suryakumar Yadav in India's third T20I against West Indies in Indore on October 11. He scored 69 off just 30 deliveries, including six fours and five sixes, which takes him to 68 maximums in the year. His innings propelled India to recover from an early defeat and an imposing total of 223.
In the end, India secured 14 runs and took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. His innings showed that he was able to mix aggressive stroke play with a contribution to the team's total score. With the record tied in Indore, the fourth match offered him an opportunity to move ahead of Suryakumar, and he made the most of it.
Suryakumar’s success in 2022 had set up an outstanding benchmark for India’s T20I batters. His ability to score quickly from all parts of the ground made him one of the most innovative players in the format. Abhishek’s record-breaking performance now gives India another great power-hitter who can alter a game in a few overs.
The numbers also show that his attacking style is not changing. Abhishek hit a six almost every 6.55 balls in 2026, compared to Suryakumar every 9.13 balls in 2022, according to reports before the fourth T20I. The figures show the frequency with which Abhishek has been clearing the ropes in his international performance this year.
Abhishek has achieved six-hitting in consecutive calendar years. He clocked 54 sixes in T20Is in 2025, in which he was one of the best performers on the list of Full Member nations that year. In September 2026, he was also impressive as he scored 108 against Afghanistan off only 34 balls in the third encounter in the Friendship Cup. He had nine fours and 11 sixes and scored one of the most explosive centuries to date in India's T20I history.
This is another great example of his ability to turn the game around through attacking. His subsequent record against the West Indies suggests that the Afghanistan innings was part of a wider run of excellent form rather than an isolated achievement.
Abhishek's latest record is also important for Indian cricket as the team is continuing to develop an attacking batting style for T20 internationals. Opening batsmen are now expected to score fast from the outset, and that brings up the field restrictions and forces opposition coaches to rethink their bowling plans.
Abhishek's hit-and-run at a high rate gives India a huge edge when he gets the support of the other batsman in the field. His performances also provide the team with great flexibility when setting a target or chasing a challenging total. Sixes alone do not determine the outcome of a match, but consistent boundary-hitting can change the pace of an innings and put pressure on the opposition.
Now the record is in Abhishek’s name; there is no doubt he will extend it further in 2026. His performances have already put him ahead of Suryakumar’s previous benchmark and established his place as one of India’s most promising young batsmen. What is so beautiful about this is that Abhishek has now achieved it not only in one tournament but in a calendar year.
Abhishek’s success will be another reason for Indian fans to be following the team’s T20I campaign closely. If he maintains his form, he could take the benchmark even higher and make it harder for future batters to surpass it. His record six is, so far, not only an individual accomplishment but also another memorable moment in India's history in T20 cricket.
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