Indian opener Abhishek Sharma has taken the cricket world by storm during the ongoing T20I series against Zimbabwe. His knock in the second T20I wasn't just his first international century, but it also saw him rewrite the record books. Sharma's blistering knock of 100 runs surpassed the record for the most sixes by an Indian batsman in a single year. He smashed a staggering 47 sixes so far in 2024, surpassing the previous record of 46 held by the legendary Rohit Sharma. This achievement adds to the remarkable start of Sharma's international career. Just a day before his record-breaking century, he was dismissed for a duck in the first T20I. This incredible turnaround showcases his immense talent and potential.
Abhishek Sharma's innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression. He started cautiously after the dismissal of his partner, but his intent was clear – he reached his fifty in a quickfire 33 balls. Once settled, he unleashed pure power, needing just 13 more deliveries to reach a magnificent century.
The defining moment came when he smashed three consecutive sixes off W Masakadza to reach the three-figure mark. This feat not only marked his maiden international hundred but also showcased his ability to combine elegant strokeplay with brute power. Sharma's knock highlighted his potential as a valuable asset to the Indian batting line-up. His ability to switch gears seamlessly, from measured strokes to six-hitting from the get-go, is reminiscent of his idols – Yuvraj Singh and Brian Lara. This, combined with his yet-untapped potential for bowling off-spin, makes him a truly well-rounded cricketer.
Abhishek Sharma's record-breaking knock has him rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in Indian T20I cricket. He now finds himself ranked fourth on the prestigious list of fastest centuries for India, based on the number of balls faced. This elite company includes legends like Rohit Sharma (35 balls), Suryakumar Yadav (45 balls), and KL Rahul (46 balls).
India ended up posting a huge total of 234/2 and in reply Zimbabwe could only score 134 to suffer a 100-run defeat.
India's Playing XI:
Shubman Gill(c), Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel(w), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar
Zimbabwe's Playing XI:
Wessly Madhevere, Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza(c), Dion Myers, Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande(w), Wellington Masakadza, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara
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