A Night to Remember for Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma delivered a stunning all-round performance in the fifth and final T20I against England, helping India secure a massive 150-run victory at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The left-handed batter played a blistering knock of 135 runs off just 54 balls, propelling India to a commanding total of 247/9 in 20 overs. He then showcased his all-round skills by picking up two crucial wickets, rounding off a near-perfect game.
Fulfilling Yuvraj Singh’s Wish
Sharma, who has been mentored by former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, revealed that Yuvraj had always encouraged him to bat deep into the innings. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he shared, “I think Yuvraj Singh will be happy with this knock. He always wanted me to bat till at least 15-20 overs. Even Gautam Gambhir (Gauti Bhai) expected the same from me. Today was my day, and I executed the plan well.”
Breaking Records in Style
The left-handed batter made history with his record-breaking knock:
- He registered India’s second-fastest T20I century, surpassing Sanju Samson.
- His 135-run innings became the highest individual T20I score for an Indian batter, surpassing *Shubman Gill’s 126 against New Zealand.
- He struck 13 sixes, setting a new record for the most sixes hit by an Indian in a single T20I innings.
Support from Coach and Captain
Sharma credited head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav for backing him to play freely and express himself. “From day one, the coach and captain wanted me to play with intent and stick to my natural game. Their support has been special for me,” he said.
Discussing his approach against England’s high-speed bowling attack, he added, “When bowlers are consistently hitting 140-150 kmph, you have to be ready a fraction of a second earlier. That was my game plan—I just reacted to the ball and played my shots.”
Special Shots and Yuvraj Singh’s Approval
When asked about his favorite shot of the innings, Sharma pointed out his cover drive against England’s world-class pacers. He also mentioned a special six he hit off Adil Rashid, saying, “Yuvi Bhai had spoken to me about that shot last time, so I know he’ll be happy with it.”
India Clinch Series 4-1
With this emphatic win, India sealed the five-match T20I series 4-1 against England. Both teams will now shift their focus to the upcoming three-match ODI series, set to begin on February 6.
