Who is the fastest to 5,000 T20 runs (by balls)?
What's the story
Star opener Abhishek Sharma starred in India's 48-run win over New Zealand in the 1st T20I at Nagpur's VCA Stadium. The left-handed dasher smashed a blazing 84 (35), powering India to 238/7 in 20 overs. Abhishek, who added 99 runs with skipper Suryakumar Yadav, also completed 5,000 T20 runs. He is now the fastest to reach this landmark in terms of balls taken.
#1
Abhishek Sharma: 2,898 balls
According to ESPNcricinfo, Abhishek took 2,898 balls to complete 5,000 T20 runs, now the quickest to this milestone. In just 169 matches (165 innings), the left-handed opener has amassed 5,002 runs at an average of 33.34. His tally includes 8 tons and 29 half-centuries. Abhishek's strike rate in T20Is reads 190.92, the highest for a batter. He owns 1,199 runs in 34 T20Is.
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Staggering strike rate in T20s
As per ESPNcricinfo, Abhishek is one of only two batters to have completed 5,000 T20 runs with a strike rate of 160 or more. He has a staggering strike rate of 172.48 in the format. He already owns 309 sixes in T20s.
Information
Fastest to 1,000 T20I runs by balls
In November last year, Abhishek also became the fastest player to score 1,000 T20I runs in terms of balls faced (Full Members). He reached the milestone in just 528 balls, breaking the previous record held by Suryakumar (573 balls).
#2
Andre Russell: 2,942 balls
In Nagpur, Abhishek surpassed West Indies' Andre Russell, who completed 5,000 T20 runs off 2,942 balls. No other batter has reached this mark in sub-3,000 balls. He is the only other batter to complete 5,000 T20 runs with a 160-plus strike rate. In a stellar career, Russell has amassed 9,636 runs from 590 T20s at a strike rate of 167.61.