NEW DELHI: India opener Abhishek Sharma etched his name in the record books, becoming the fastest batter to reach 1,000 runs in T20Is in terms of balls faced (528 balls). The top-ranked T20I batter achieved the feat during the fifth and final match against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.

Needing 11 runs to reach the milestone, Abhishek got there with a double, slicing a slower delivery from Nathan Ellis towards deep third man. It might not have been possible for the India opener had Australia not dropped two easy catches early in the innings.

He surpassed compatriot Suryakumar Yadav, who achieved the mark in 573 balls, followed by Phil Salt (599), Glenn Maxwell (604), and Andre Russell and Finn Allen, both on 609 balls.

Abhishek also finds himself in elite company when it comes to the fewest innings to reach 1,000 T20I runs for India. He achieved the milestone in just 28 innings, second only to Virat Kohli, who did it in 27. Behind them are KL Rahul (29), Suryakumar Yadav (31), and Rohit Sharma (40).

Overall, the record for the fastest to reach 1,000 runs in T20 internationals - in terms of innings - is jointly held by former England batter Dawid Malan and the Czech Republic's Sabawoon Davizi, both of whom accomplished the feat in their 24th innings.

Earlier, Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to bowl against India. He has won 21 tosses in T20 internationals and chosen to bowl (and chase) every time.

Australia are unchanged, while India made one change to their playing XI, resting Tilak Varma and bringing in Rinku Singh.