Mumbai, Feb 2 (PTI) – Young sensation Abhishek Sharma delivered a batting masterclass at the Wankhede Stadium, smashing a breathtaking 135 off just 54 balls, setting new benchmarks in Indian T20I history. His blitzkrieg knock, featuring 13 towering sixes and 7 fours, powered India to a formidable 247/9 in the fifth and final T20I against England on Sunday.
At just 24 years old, Abhishek etched his name into the record books with a fearless display of power hitting, dismantling England's bowling attack with ruthless precision. While he came close to surpassing Rohit Sharma’s record for the fastest T20I century (35 balls), Abhishek's 37-ball hundred now stands as the second-fastest by an Indian. He also registered the second-quickest T20I fifty for India, reaching the milestone in a blistering 17 balls.
Abhishek Sharma Breaks Multiple Records in a Single Innings
The southpaw’s whirlwind innings was a record-breaking spectacle, rewriting Indian T20I history in multiple aspects:- Highest individual score by an Indian in T20Is: Abhishek’s 135 surpassed Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 126against New Zealand in Ahmedabad (2023).
- Most sixes in a T20I innings by an Indian: His 13 maximums went past the previous record of 12 set by Rohit Sharma.
- India’s highest T20I total against England: The 247/9 bettered their 224/2 at Ahmedabad in 2021.
- Fourth-highest total by India in T20Is.
An Onslaught That Left England Stunned
Abhishek’s innings was an exhibition of audacious strokeplay as he took apart both pace and spin. His shot selection, particularly on the off-side, was a treat to watch, leaving England’s bowlers scrambling for answers.He danced down the track to punish express pacer Jofra Archer (1/55), while effortlessly executing cuts and drivesagainst others. The defining moment of his innings came when he lifted a low full toss from Overton over his head for a six, bringing up his half-century in style. This six also helped India register their highest-ever powerplay total of 95/1 in six overs.
The most expensive over of the match came in the fifth, bowled by Overton, where Abhishek collected 25 runs, smashing three sixes and a four to send the Wankhede crowd into a frenzy.
Supporting Acts and Middle-Order Struggles
While Sanju Samson (16) and Suryakumar Yadav (2) failed to make an impact, Tilak Varma (24) and Shivam Dube (30) played crucial supporting roles.Varma played second fiddle in an explosive 115-run partnership off just 43 balls with Abhishek for the second wicket. Meanwhile, Dube’s quick 37-run stand (18 balls) with Abhishek provided a late push to India’s innings.
Sanju Samson, despite a promising start, fell prey to Mark Wood while attempting a pull shot, getting caught by Archer at backward square leg. Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav’s struggles continued, as he mistimed a flick off the pads, leading to a sharp diving catch by England wicketkeeper Phil Salt.
India Sets Mammoth Target – Can England Chase It Down?
Abhishek’s fireworks ensured that India finished with a monumental 247/9, setting England a daunting task in the series finale. With such a commanding total on the board, the question remains – can England mount a historic chase, or will India’s bowling unit rise to the occasion?One thing is certain – Abhishek Sharma’s innings will be remembered as one of the greatest in Indian T20I history.
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