NEW DELHI: Indian opening batter Abhishek Sharma etched his name in history books with a breathtaking 135 off just 54 balls in the fifth and final T20I against England at Wankhede Stadium.
His explosive innings not only powered India to a mammoth total but also saw him surpass several Indian batting legends, including Rohit Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Shubman Gill.
After being put in to bat, India got off to a fiery start, with Sanju Samson dispatching the first ball for a six. Although Samson fell early, Abhishek took charge and unleashed a relentless assault on the English bowlers.
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The left-handed opener brought up his half-century in rapid time, recording the second-fastest fifty by an Indian in T20Is. He followed it up with an even more historic milestone—the second-fastest century by an Indian in the format.
One of the most staggering aspects of Abhishek’s innings was his dominance in clearing the ropes. He smashed 13 sixes, eclipsing the joint Indian record held by Rohit Sharma and Sanju Samson (10 sixes each). His power-hitting prowess saw him become the new record-holder for the most sixes in a T20I innings by an Indian.
Additionally, Abhishek surpassed Shubman Gill’s record for the highest individual score by an Indian in T20Is. His 135 surpassed Gill’s 126* against New Zealand in 2023, making him the new top-scorer for India in the format.
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Abhishek’s scintillating innings came to an end at 134 when he was caught at deep cover off Adil Rashid. Nevertheless, his knock helped India amass a formidable total of 247/9, setting the stage for a thrilling series decider.
With this innings, Abhishek Sharma has announced himself as a force to be reckoned with in international cricket, showcasing a blend of fearless stroke-making and composure under pressure.