India’s Power-Hitter Abhishek Sharma: From Sixes to Century, A Record-Breaking Journey
Abhishek Sharma Shines in IND vs ZIM 2nd T20I
The Indian team made a strong comeback in the T20 series against Zimbabwe. On Sunday, July 7th, in a match played in Harare, India defeated Zimbabwe by 100 runs. The Indian team scored 234 runs for 2 wickets. In response, Zimbabwe’s team was bowled out for 134 runs in 18.4 overs. With this victory, India leveled the five-match series 1-1.
Abhishek Sharma: The Hero of India’s Victory Against Zimbabwe
In the second T20 match against Zimbabwe, Abhishek Sharma was the hero of India’s victory. In only his second T20 match, he played a brilliant innings, scoring 100 runs off 47 balls with 7 fours and 8 sixes.
Abhishek completed his century in 46 balls, hitting three consecutive sixes off Wellington Masakadza in the 14th over of the innings. However, he was dismissed on the very next ball by Masakadza.
A Major Achievement in T20 History
In his debut match, Abhishek could not open his account, facing just 4 balls. But in this match, he made a significant impact. Abhishek opened his account with a six, reached his fifty with a six, and completed his century with another six. This is a significant achievement in T20 history. Remarkably, Abhishek scored 72 runs in his last 23 balls, hitting seven sixes and five fours, after scoring only 28 runs in his first 24 balls.
Abhishek Sharma Sets Record with Three Consecutive Sixes to Complete Century
Abhishek Sharma has become the first Indian cricketer to score a century with three consecutive sixes in an international match. He is also the first Indian player to score a century in his second T20 international match. Previously, Deepak Hooda held the record for scoring a century in his third match, a record now surpassed by Abhishek.
Achievements Against Spin Bowlers
In this match, Abhishek scored 65 runs against spin bowlers, the highest runs against spinners by an Indian in a T20 international match. He broke Yuvraj Singh’s record of 57 runs, which Yuvraj had set against Pakistan in Ahmedabad in 2012. Abhishek scored 65 runs off 28 balls against spinners, including six sixes and four fours.
Third Player to Score a Century in Zimbabwe
Abhishek became the third player to score a century in T20 internationals on Zimbabwean soil. Before him, only Aaron Finch (Australia) and Steven Taylor (USA) had achieved this. Finch scored 172 runs against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2018, while Steven Taylor scored an unbeaten 101 runs against Jersey in Bulawayo in 2022.
Youngest Indians to Score a Century in T20
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: 21 years 279 days – vs Nepal, 2023
- Shubman Gill: 23 years 146 days – vs New Zealand, 2023
- Suresh Raina: 23 years 156 days – vs South Africa, 2010
- Abhishek Sharma: 23 years 307 days – vs Zimbabwe, 2024*
Close Connection with Yuvraj Singh
Abhishek is very close to cricketer Yuvraj Singh and has often been seen working out with him. Yuvraj has also mentored him and praised him on several occasions. In an interview, Yuvraj mentioned that he sees a reflection of himself in Abhishek. Additionally, Abhishek is a childhood friend of Indian cricketer Shubman Gill, and the two have played a lot of cricket together at the junior level.
