Abhishek’s record hundred carries India to 247/9
Abhishek tore into the English bowling with disdain, producing a knock of the highest quality and replete with compelling strokes against pace and spin alike as he etched his name in record books.
Credit: ANI
MUMBAI:A rampant Abhishek Sharma smashed a 54-ball 135, the second-fastest century and the highest score for an Indian batter in T20Is, powering the host to a huge 247/9 in the fifth and final match against England here on Sunday.
Abhishek tore into the English bowling with disdain, producing a knock of the highest quality and replete with compelling strokes against pace and spin alike as he etched his name in record books.
The 24-year-old Abhishek looked set to break Rohit Sharma’s record for the fastest T20I hundred (35 balls) for an Indian batter but eventually achieved it in 37 balls for the second fastest three-figure knock, having already recorded the second quickest fifty off 17 balls for the country.
But Abhishek did break the record for the most sixes by an Indian in a T20I knock when he smacked Brydon Carse (3/38) for his 11th six in the 17th over, eventually finishing with 13 hits over the ropes.
Abhishek’s monumental innings, which contained seven fours, is now also the highest individual score for by an Indian in the format, going past Shubman Gill’s 126 not out against New Zealand at Ahmedabad in 2023.
While scoring more than half of the team total, Abhishek also helped India set its highest T20I score against England, bettering its total of 224/2 at Ahmedabad in 2021.
This is also India’s fourth-highest innings total in T20Is.
The left-handed Abhishek showed remarkable authority on the off-side to collect most of his runs leaving England searching desperately for answers.
The southpaw danced down the track to hit express pacer Jofra Archer (1/55) while cutting and driving the others at will.
Brief scores: India 247/9 in 20 overs (A Sharma 135, B Carse 3/38) vs England
