On this day in 2017, under the bright lights of Indore’s Holkar Stadium, Rohit Sharma didn’t just score runs—he rewrote the laws of possibility in T20 cricket. In a mere 35 balls, he raced to a century, tying the record for the fastest T20I century ever. With 12 boundaries and a staggering 10 sixes, his innings was a masterclass in controlled chaos, precision power, and fearless intent.
This wasn’t just another explosive knock. It was the moment Rohit Sharma stamped his authority as one of the most destructive openers in the format’s history—and laid the psychological groundwork for India’s future T20 dominance, culminating in his triumphant farewell after the 2024 T20 World Cup win.
Table of Contents
- The Historic Innings: A Ball-by-Ball Breakdown
- Why Rohit Sharma’s T20I Century Still Matters in 2025
- Comparing the Fastest T20I Centuries: Where Does Rohit Rank?
- Impact on India’s T20 Strategy and Rohit’s Captaincy
- From Indore 2017 to Dubai 2024: A Full-Circle Legacy
- Conclusion: A Legacy Written in Sixes
- Sources
The Historic Innings: A Ball-by-Ball Breakdown
December 22, 2017. India vs Sri Lanka. Second T20I in Indore. Sri Lanka had posted a competitive 179/5, thanks to a solid half-century from Danushka Gunathilaka. The chase looked tricky—but not for Rohit.
From ball one, he was in a different zone. He took on pacers and spinners alike with equal fury. By the 28th ball, he was on 86. The crowd sensed history. And on the 35th delivery—a pull shot off Thisara Perera that sailed over deep midwicket—he reached the three-figure mark.
His final score? 118 off 43 balls, including 12 fours and 10 sixes, at a strike rate of 274.41. India romped home with six overs to spare, posting 181/3 in just 14 overs.
Why Rohit Sharma’s T20I Century Still Matters in 2025
Eight years later, in a post-retirement world where Rohit is celebrated as the leader who brought India its long-awaited T20 World Cup in 2024, that Rohit Sharma T20I century feels prophetic.
It wasn’t just about the runs—it was about mindset. At a time when Indian openers often prioritized caution, Rohit showed that aggression could be both intelligent and match-winning. His innings became a blueprint for India’s modern T20 batting philosophy: dominate powerplays, target spinners in the middle, and never let the pressure shift.
For fantasy cricket enthusiasts and budding cricketers, this innings remains a textbook example of how to balance risk and reward .
Comparing the Fastest T20I Centuries: Where Does Rohit Rank?
Rohit’s 35-ball ton tied the world record set by New Zealand’s David Miller in 2017 (also against Bangladesh). Since then, no male player has broken that mark—though a few have matched it.
Here’s how the elite group stands:
- 35 balls: David Miller (NZ vs BAN, 2017), Rohit Sharma (IND vs SL, 2017)
- 36 balls: Sudesh Wickramasinghe (UAE, unofficial), Glenn Maxwell (AUS vs SL, 2016)
- 38 balls: Colin Munro (NZ vs BAN, 2018)
According to official ICC records, Rohit and Miller remain joint-holders of the fastest T20I century in men’s international cricket . This puts Rohit in rarefied air—not just as a finisher, but as a front-line destroyer.
Impact on India’s T20 Strategy and Rohit’s Captaincy
That 2017 knock didn’t just boost Rohit’s stats—it reshaped India’s entire T20 outlook. As he later took over the T20I captaincy, his aggressive DNA trickled down to the whole squad. Players like Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant were encouraged to play without fear, knowing the team culture valued innovation over caution.
Even in high-stakes games like the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinal and final, India’s powerplay dominance—often exceeding 60 runs in the first six overs—can be traced back to the confidence Rohit injected into the system. As noted by analysts at ICC, India’s 2024 campaign was built on “early aggression and middle-overs control”—a direct evolution of Rohit’s 2017 philosophy .
From Indore 2017 to Dubai 2024: A Full-Circle Legacy
Rohit Sharma’s journey from that explosive century to lifting the T20 World Cup trophy in Dubai is poetic. In 2017, he was the enigmatic star with untapped leadership potential. By 2024, he was “Hitman” and “Captain Cool” rolled into one—the elder statesman who carried a generation’s hopes.
His retirement announcement moments after the final cemented his legend. But fans who remember Indore will always know: the fire that lit India’s 2024 triumph was first sparked on this day in 2017. You can explore more about his career arc in our [INTERNAL_LINK:rohit-sharma-career-highlights-and-records] feature.
Conclusion: A Legacy Written in Sixes
Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball T20I century wasn’t just a record—it was a revolution disguised as an innings. It proved that elegance and explosiveness could coexist, that an Indian opener could dominate like a West Indian legend, and that one man’s brilliance could inspire a team’s transformation.
As we reflect on this historic day, we’re not just celebrating runs. We’re honoring the moment a champion showed the world what was possible—and spent the rest of his career making it real.