Abhishek Sharma etched his name in the record books with a sensational 135 off 54 balls against England in Mumbai on February 2, 2025. His innings now stand as the highest individual score for India in T20 Internationals, surpassing Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 126 against New Zealand in Ahmedabad in 2023. Additionally, it is the second-highest individual score against England in T20Is, only behind Aaron Finch’s 156 in Southampton in 2013. It also ranks as the second-highest individual score on Indian soil in T20Is, trailing Hazratullah Zazai’s 162* against Ireland in Dehradun in 2019.

Highest Individual Scores for India in T20 Internationals

Abhishek’s century came in just 37 balls, making it the third-fastest T20I century in matches between Full Member nations, trailing only Rohit Sharma and David Miller, who reached the milestone in 35 balls. His half-century off 17 balls is also the second-fastest for India in T20Is, behind Yuvraj Singh’s famous 12-ball fifty against England in Durban in 2007.

Fastest Centuries in T20Is (Full Member Nations)

Abhishek’s innings also saw him clear the ropes 13 times, setting a new record for the most sixes by an Indian in a T20I innings, surpassing the previous best of 10 by Rohit Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma.

His century was reached in just 10.1 overs, making it the fastest in T20I history where ball-by-ball data is available, surpassing Quinton de Kock’s 2023 effort by one ball.

India also set a new Powerplay benchmark, scoring 95/1, surpassing their previous best of 82/2 against Scotland in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Abhishek’s individual Powerplay score of 58 is the highest for an Indian batter, overtaking Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 53 against Australia in 2023.

A blistering 115-run stand between Abhishek and Tilak Varma was recorded at a run rate of 16.04, the highest-ever for a century partnership for India in T20Is, surpassing the 15.45 between Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya against New Zealand in 2023.

England, in response, were bowled out for just 97 in 10.3 overs, suffering a crushing 150-run defeat—their heaviest loss in T20Is in terms of runs and the second-heaviest for a Full Member side.

Biggest Defeats by a Full Member Side in T20Is (by Runs)

England’s 10.3 overs were the second-fewest overs batted by a Full Member team in a completed T20I, only behind Bangladesh’s 9.3-over effort against New Zealand in a rain-shortened match in 2021. The previous lowest in an uninterrupted T20I was 11.5 overs, shared by West Indies (against England in 2019) and Afghanistan (against South Africa in 2024).

Abhishek became just the fourth Indian batter to outscore an entire opposition in a T20I innings, joining Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav.

Meanwhile, Varun Chakravarthy’s 14 wickets in the series are the second most by any player in a bilateral T20I series between Full Member teams, behind Jason Holder’s 15 against England in 2022. He also surpassed his previous Indian record of 12 wickets in a series.

India’s resounding victory showcased their dominance, with Abhishek Sharma’s historic knock leading the charge in a match filled with record-breaking moment

Let’s take a look at the top records of Graeme Smith in international cricket:

1) Most victories as a captain in Tests (53)

Smith is the most successful skipper in the history of Tests. He captained South Africa in 108 games with 53 wins, 28 losses, and 27 draws. Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is behind him in the second position with 48 victories. Smith was also presented with the ICC Test Championship Mace in 2013 for leading the Proteas to the No. 1 spot in the rankings. He is also the only player to lead a side in over 100 Tests.

2) Most centuries as a captain in Tests (25)

Smith also holds the record for hitting the most centuries as a skipper in Test cricket. In 109 games, he smashed 25 hundreds. India’s Virat Kohli is behind him with 20 centuries to his name. Smith has also reached the three-figure mark most times (16) as a leader in Test victories. Ponting is in the second spot with 14 tons.

3) Most runs as captain (8659)

Smith struck 8659 runs in 109 matches and leads the list for most runs as Test skipper. Former Australia captain Allan Border comes second position with 6623 runs to his name. Smith took charge in 2003 and he continued leading the side till 2014.

4) Most runs as an opener while leading the side (8538)

Smith also racked up the most runs as an opener while captaining the Test team. In 108 matches, he struck 8538 runs at an average of 48.23, with 25 hundreds and 35 half-centuries.

5) Most matches as South Africa captain across formats

Smith also led South Africa most number of times in international cricket. He took charge for the Proteas 284 times with 163 wins, 88 losses, one tie, 27 draws, and five no-results. Late Hansie Cronje is behind Smith with 191 matches as captain.

3. 38 – Desmond Haynes

Desmond Haynes made his Test debut against Australia at the Queen’s Park Oval in March 1978. The right-handed batter opened the innings alongside Gordon Greenidge and scored a whirlwind half-century. He brought up his fifty off just 38 balls. Haynes flabbergasted the Australian bowlers with his aggression and gave the West Indies a fine start. The Caribbean side eventually won the match by an innings and 106 runs.

2. 37 – Jacob Bethell, Luke Ronchi

Jacob Bethell debuted in the first Test between New Zealand and England at the Hagley Oval last year. He was dismissed for a 34-ball 10 in the first innings but he didn’t let this deter his spirit. In the second innings, he slammed an unbeaten half-century off 37 deliveries to help the Three Lions register a thumping eight-wicket win. Luke Ronchi made his Test debut at the age of 34 years and 36 days when he turned up for New Zealand in a Test match against England at Headingley in 2015. In the first innings, the wicketkeeper-batter smashed a 70-ball 88, with the help of 13 fours and three sixes. He reached his half-century off just 37 balls. The Kiwis won the match by 199 runs.

1. 29 – Tim Southee

Tim Southee stands at No. 1 on this list. He made his debut in Napier against England in 2008. In New Zealand’s first innings, he was dismissed for a 20-ball five after bagging a five-for earlier in the Test match. However, in his second outing with the bat, Southee annihilated the England bowlers, scoring an unbeaten 77 off 40 balls. He brought up his half-century in just 29 balls. However, the home side won the match by 121 runs.

Australian great Shane Warne had his most impressive year in 1994, just two years after making his debut. Warne picked 70 wickets in 10 Tests. His career-best Test figures of 8/71 came against England in the Brisbane Ashes. Warne’s 96 wickets tally in 2005 remains the highest number of Test wickets in a calendar year.

India’s Kapil Dev also shone in the 1983-84 season, leading the country to its historic World Cup victory. Dev has picked a nine-wicket haul against the formidable West Indies. Similarly, 2024 also has been a year for bowlers with some great spells, which helped their side win the game. On that note, let’s take a look at the bowlers with the most wickets in the Test format in 2024:

3. Shoaib Bashir: 49 wickets

England’s young off-spinner Shoaib Bashir had a breakout year in 2024. The 21-year-old made his Test debut in February against India after overcoming visa issues and finished as the third-highest wicket-taker in the format for the year with 49 wickets from 15 matches.

Bashir bowled more overs (524.3) than any other bowler in 2024. His best performances included three five-wicket hauls, with a best of 5/41 against the West Indies. Against India, he claimed 17 wickets in just three matches. He was the main reason why the Three Lions managed to pick so many wickets in this calendar year.

2. Gus Atkinson: 52 wickets

Atkinson picked 52 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 22.15. The 26-year-old pacer made history on his debut which was also James Anderson’s farewell Test at Lord’s, claiming 7/45 in the first innings and finishing with match figures of 12/106, the fourth-best by a debutant in Test history. His exploits included a hat-trick against New Zealand in December, making him the first Englishman since 2017 to achieve the feat in Tests.

Atkinson’s brilliant performances over the year earned him the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year nomination and England Player of the Year at the Cricket Writers’ Club Awards. He played a key role in England’s victories over the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand.

1. Jasprit Bumrah: 71 wickets

Ace Indian pacer, Jasprit Bumrah has had one of the best years as he finished 2024 as the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket with 71 wickets in just 13 matches at a mindboggling average of 14.92. His brilliance with the ball has been crucial for India, including the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

In the recent Melbourne Test, Bumrah picked nine wickets, including a second-inning five-wicket haul, bringing India back into the game despite their defeat. He also crossed the milestone of 200 Test wickets in just 44 matches, becoming the fastest Indian pacer to achieve this feat with an average of less than 20.

Bumrah’s tally of 71 wickets is now the fifth-highest by an Indian bowler in a calendar year. He became the third Indian pacer after Kapil Dev and Zaheer Khan to scalp 50 wickets in Test cricket in a calendar year.

While Kumble led the side as a full-time skipper in 14 of India’s Tests before retiring, Bumrah has only captained India twice, as of November 2024. Both these stalwarts did register respective five-wicket hauls when they led the team. Below is a brief overview of how the three Tests panned out in which Kumble and Bumrah achieved the esteemed feat.

Anil Kumble vs Pakistan (Third Test, Pakistan tour of India 2007)

This was the final game of the series in 2007 between the Asian behemoths. Opting to bat first, India rode on a double-ton by Sourav Ganguly, a majestic 169 off the willow of Yuvraj Singh, and a splendid debut Test hundred by Irfan Pathan to end up with a gigantic 626 on the board. Subsequently, three 60-plus scores, an unbeaten 133 by Misbah-ul-Haq, and 76 extras powered Pakistan to 537.

Ganguly once again top-scored for India in the third innings, and with Dinesh Karthik getting dismissed after bringing up his half-century, India declared their innings. Chasing 374 post Tea on the final day of the game, it was anticipated that Pakistan would be resolute in defence and the game would end up as a draw. However, it was the local boy, Anil Kumble, who wreaked all sorts of chaos within the visitors’ dressing room by dismissing five of the seven batters to fall up until the conclusion of the session and game.

Anil Kumble vs Australia (First Test, India tour of Australia 2007-08)

The commencement of what would ultimately be remembered as an iconic series between the two powerhouses turned out to be a memorable Test for Kumble for personal reasons. Apart from Matthew Hayden, who plundered 124, it was Kumble’s shrewdness that kept the others at bay – picking up a second consecutive five-wicket haul as a skipper, this time coming away from home. Except for Sachin Tendulkar’s 62, no other batter crossed the 50-run mark. Kumble fought valiantly for his 27 and ended up as the team’s third-highest run-getter.

Having gained a bulky lead, Australia was already in the ascendancy. They further dominated via seven of their first eight batters scoring 35 or more, with Kumble accounting for the leading run-getters in Australia’s second innings, Phil Jaques and Michael Clarke. Chasing a mammoth target of 499, Rahul Dravid and Wasim Jaffer started steadily. However, after their departure, none of the other batters apart from VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly could stick along for a long time as India bowed out by 337 runs in the end.

Jasprit Bumrah vs Australia (First Test, India tour of Australia 2024-25)

This first Test of the tour Down Under turned out to be a memorable affair for stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah. The only point in the entire game where things looked like going downhill for India was their first innings, where apart from debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy, no other Indian batter looked settled, as they were shot out for 150 within the first two sessions on Day 1. However, the Indian bowlers, spearheaded by Bumrah, gave it back to the Australian batters. The five wickets he picked up to skittle out the hosts were some of the best.

India’s second essay with the bat was contrastingly different from their first, with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal putting on 201 for the first wicket. Jaiswal’s sublime 161 and Virat Kohli’s long-awaited 81st international ton put India in a commanding position before they opted to declare. Three quick Australian wickets towards the end of the third day’s play set the tone as India were the firm favourites from thereon. It was only a matter of time before Australia would be bowled out, and despite a brisk 89-run innings from Travis Head, Australia came nowhere close to the target; granting India a stunning victory by 295 runs.

3) 18. 4 (5-ball overs) – South Africa vs England, Gqeberha, 1896 (score: 30)

The third-shortest all-out innings of all-time was scored by South Africa against England at the Crusaders Ground, St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth back in February 1896.

After England posted a total of 185 in the first innings, the Proteas were bundled out for 93. After the visitors scored 226 runs in the second innings, giving South Africa a target of 319 runs.

The hosts were bundled out for just 30 runs in the second innings as they lost all 10 wickets in just 18.4 overs, which makes them sit in third place in the list of the shortest all-out innings in Tests.

2) 13.5 – Sri Lanka vs South Africa, Durban, 2024 (score: 42)

Sri Lanka recently recorded their name in the record books with the second shortest all-out innings in Test cricket. Taking on South Africa in Durban in the first Test of the series in November 2024, Sri Lanka bowled first and conceded 191 runs in the first innings. However, coming out to bat, the visitors only managed to score 42 and were bundled out in just 13.5 overs to record an unwanted feat.

1) 12.3 – South Africa vs England, Birmingham, 1924 (score: 30)

The shortest-ever all-out innings in Test cricket belongs to South Africa, which came against England in the first Test of the series in June 1924. Coming in to bat first, England posted a mammoth total of 438 in the first innings of the game. In response, South Africa only managed to score 30 runs and were bundled out in just 12.3 overs, which makes them occupy first place in the list.

Recently, West Indies pacer Jayden Seales recorded a historic spell against Bangladesh in Kingston. Bowling 15.5 overs with 10 maidens, Seales conceded just five runs and claimed four wickets, finishing with an economy rate of 0.31.

This feat ranks him second in the history of Test cricket for economy rates (minimum 90 balls bowled), just behind India’s legendary Bapu Nadkarni. Nadkarni’s spell of 32 overs, including 27 maidens, conceded a mere five runs at an economy rate of 0.15 against England in 1964. Meanwhile, some names have not only picked fifers which is a huge feat for a bowler, but have also maintained their economy.

3. 5/6 – Bert Ironmonger (Australia) vs South Africa, Melbourne, 1932

On February 15, 1932, Bert Ironmonger recorded his name in history books during Australia’s victory over South Africa in Melbourne. The match which lasted only 5 hours and 53 minutes, remains the shortest completed Test in terms of playing time. South Africa were bowled out for just 36 and 45, while Australia scored 153, securing victory by an innings and 72 runs. Ironmonger’s left-arm spin dismantled South Africa as he picked 11 wickets for just 24 runs across both innings to record the most economical ten-wicket haul in Test cricket history. His first-innings figures of 5/6 in 7.2 overs were followed by a stunning 6/18 in 15.3 overs in the second gave him a spot in the history books for the ages. With an economy of just 1.16 in the match, he became one of the bowlers to have the best economical 5-fers in Test cricket.

2. 6/3 – Jermaine Lawson (West Indies) vs Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2002

Former West Indies pacer Jermaine Lawson delivered one of the most economical five-wicket hauls in Test cricket during the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2002. His figures of 6 for 3 in just 6.5 overs in the second innings, including four maidens, left Bangladesh struggling in their second innings, as they bundled out for just 87 and the visitors registered a victory by an innings and 310 runs. Across his brief Test career, Lawson played 13 matches, claiming 51 wickets at an average of 29.64. His best figures were 7 for 78 against Australia.

1. 5/2 – Ernie Toshack (Australia) vs India, Brisbane, 1947

Australian left-arm medium pacer, Ernie Toshack holds the record of delivering one of the most economical five-wicket hauls in Test cricket history. Toshack’s best moment came against India during the first Test of the 1947 series in Brisbane. In India’s first innings, Toshack bowled just 2.3 overs and dismantled the Indian lineup with figures of 5/2. Following on, India faced the same dominance, with Toshack claiming another six wickets for just 29 runs in 17 overs. These figures contributed combined as 11 wickets for 31 runs in the end. Across his career, Toshack played 12 Tests, picking 47 wickets at an economy rate of 1.88.

The role of captains has changed significantly as multiple aspects need to be taken care of in modern-day T20I cricket. The analytical aspect has grown tremendously and it’s not been easy for the teams to keep up with the pace of the format. However, certain captains have done that job commendably. Here’s a list of captains from full-member nations with the highest win percentage with a minimum of 30 games played.

3. 78.38 – Sarfaraz Ahmed

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed was terrific during his reign as Pakistan’s white-ball captain. He won the Champions Trophy in 2017 and in T20Is, the keeper-batter led the team in 37 matches, winning 29 of them. He had a win percentage of 78.38, which is brilliant but Pakistan eventually removed him from the position.

2. 80.65 – Rohit Sharma

India won the T20 World Cup 2024 under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. The Men in Blue were also unbeaten in the entire tournament. The Mumbai-born has been fantastic in white-ball cricket, particularly in T20Is, in which, he has a win percentage of 80.65. He led 62 games and India won 50 of them.

1. 80.77 – Asghar Afghan

Asghar Afghan has led the revolution of Afghanistan cricket. He led in 52 T20I matches with them winning 42 of them at a win percentage of 80.77. Afghanistan was growing as a cricketing nation during that phase and Asghar played a major role in them being one of the top sides in world cricket now.

As a captain, delivering in international cricket is never easy. The competition is extremely tough but some legendary teams defied all the odds and cemented their legacy in the sport. The captain more often than not is given all the credit and for the same reason, let’s check out three captains with the highest percentage of wins in ODI cricket with a minimum of 50 matches in charge.

3. 68.42 – Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli stands third on the list of highest win percentage by a captain in ODI cricket. The star India batter led the national team in 95 ODIs and won 65 of them. He has a win percentage of 64.42, which is sensational, to say the least. However, the 36-year-old failed to win the ODI World Cup during his tenure as captain in 2019.

2. 71.74 – Ricky Ponting and Hansie Cronje

Both Ricky Ponting and Hansie Cronje have a win percentage of 71.74 as captain in ODI cricket. The legendary Australia captain led the team in 230 games, winning 165 matches while Cronje won 99 out of 138. Under Ponting, Australia won two ODI World Cups while Cronje’s career ended with charges of match-fixing.

1. 76.19 – Clive Llyod

West Indies were considered to be the toughest team to beat in that era. They won the 1975 and 1979 World Cups and even qualified for the 1983 final. Lloyd led the team in 84 matches, winning 64 of them. He has a win percentage of 76.19, which is the highest in the history of ODI cricket.

Here are the oldest centurions in BGT:

3. 37y 15d – Ricky Ponting, 134(225), Sydney, 2012

Former Australia captain, Ricky Ponting made his Test debut in 1995 almost a year before BGT started in 1996. But the batter scored his first century at the age of 37 years and 15 days, during the second Test in Sydney in 2012. He scored 134 runs off 225 balls in the first innings laced with 14 boundaries as Australia won the game by an innings and 68 runs.

2. 37y 36d – Ricky Ponting, 221(404), Adelaide, 2012

Ponting continued his good touch with the bat in the same series. Almost 21 days apart, he brought up another century in the fourth Test in Adelaide. The right-handed batter scored a daddy hundred complemented by 21 boundaries and spent 516 minutes at the crease. Australia won the game by a whopping 298 runs and cleanly swept the series 4-0.

1. 37y 168d – Sachin Tendulkar, 214(363), Bengaluru, 2010

Sachin Tendulkar made his Test debut in 1989, but India’s cricket legend had to wait for a long time for his debut BGT hundred. The triple figure, however, came in the second Test in Bengaluru in 2010. The right-handed batter scored 214 runs off 363 balls with the help of 22 boundaries and two maximums. He spent 547 minutes on the crease and remained unbeaten on 53 in the second innings as India won the game by seven wickets.