Nagpur witnessed a batting masterclass as Abhishek Sharma became the latest cricketer to amass 5000 runs in T20 cricket, achieving the feat in the opening T20I against New Zealand. His fiery 84 off 35 balls, laced with 8 sixes and 5 boundaries, not only powered India to 238/7 but also highlighted his rapid rise in the global T20 landscape.
Requiring just 165 innings in 169 games, Abhishek’s efficiency stands out. His 22-ball fifty in this match elevated him to number one in T20I history for the most half-centuries in 25 balls or less, with 8 instances surpassing the 7 each by Suryakumar Yadav, Phil Salt, and Evin Lewis.
In the process, he tied Kieron Pollard’s record for second-most sixes (8) in a T20 innings against New Zealand, trailing only Richard Levi’s extraordinary 13. India’s innings was a collective effort: Rinku Singh’s quickfire 44* off 20, featuring 3 sixes and 4 fours, and Suryakumar’s steady 32 provided solid support.
The Kiwi attack, led by Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson’s 2 wickets each, alongside single scalps from Chris Clarke, Ish Sodhi, and Mitchell Santner, couldn’t contain the onslaught. This 238/7 is now the third-highest T20 total against New Zealand, following Australia’s 245/5 (2018) and England’s 241/3 (2019).
Abhishek’s landmark knocks open up exciting possibilities for India’s T20 campaign, blending youth and audacity with proven prowess.
