Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium witnessed fireworks on Sunday as Abhishek Sharma unleashed havoc, reaching fifty in 14 balls during India’s third T20I triumph over New Zealand. This feat places it just behind Yuvraj Singh’s unparalleled 12-ball half-century from 2007 against England, marking Sharma’s entry into elite company.
Opting to bat first, New Zealand limped to 153/9. India responded with surgical precision. Sharma and skipper Suryakumar Yadav forged a match-winning 102-run stand off 40 balls, powering India to victory in only 10 overs. Sharma’s unbeaten 68 came off 20 balls (7 fours, 5 sixes), complemented by Yadav’s 57* (26 balls, 9 boundaries).
In the post-match chat, Sharma opened up about the pressures of performance. ‘The dressing room pushes me to explode like this consistently,’ he noted. ‘Mentality is key; it’s tough every game, but the vibe helps.’
Addressing the Yuvraj benchmark, he remarked candidly, ‘Yuvraj paaji’s record is tougher than impossible to shatter. Still, cricket’s unpredictable—any player might pull it off. Our batters are on fire this series; expect more drama ahead.’
The opener demystified his aggressive start: ‘First-ball six? Not planned. I anticipate the bowler’s trap and react naturally.’
On technique, Sharma emphasized adaptability: ‘Watch the field. No protection on leg? I stay put. Room on off-side? Game on. Field dictates my moves.’
Sharma’s maturity at 24 underscores his potential as India’s next big T20 gun, boosting morale for the remainder of the tour.
