NEW DELHI: India opener Abhishek Sharma endured a rare off day with the bat during the fourth T20I against Australia in Carrara, registering his lowest strike rate in a T20I innings where he faced at least 20 deliveries.

The left-hander managed 28 off 21 balls with the help of three fours and a six at a strike rate of 133.33, marking his slowest scoring effort in international T20s so far.

His previous lowest came at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the second T20I of the same series, where he struck 68 off 37 balls at a strike rate of 183.78.

The top-ranked T20I batter was also on the verge of becoming the fastest player in the world to reach 1,000 runs in T20 internationals in terms of balls faced. He currently has 989 runs off 521 deliveries and still has a chance to create the record in the next match.

The record for the fastest 1,000 runs in T20 internationals currently belongs to Australia's Tim David, who achieved the feat during his explosive 74 off 38 balls against India in Hobart on November 2. David reached the landmark in just 569 deliveries.

India's T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav occupies the second spot, having taken 573 balls to reach the milestone, while New Zealand's Finn Allen is third on the list with 611 deliveries.

Overall, the record for the fastest to reach 1,000 runs in T20 internationals - in terms of matches played - 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 appearance.