Abhishek Sharma Shatters Every T20I Record : The cricketing world witnessed history being made at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium as Abhishek Sharma delivered a breathtaking performance in the 5th T20I against England, breaking multiple records and setting new benchmarks in Indian cricket. Let’s dive deep into this extraordinary display of power hitting that has rewritten the record books.
Match Overview and Context
In the series decider at Wankhede Stadium on February 2, 2025, Abhishek Sharma produced an innings of a lifetime, scoring 135 runs off just 54 balls. This masterclass helped India post 247/9 and eventually secure a massive 150-run victory, sealing the series 4-1 against England.
Record-Breaking Performance
Abhishek’s innings was filled with several milestone achievements:
- Highest individual score by an Indian in T20Is (135 runs)
- Most sixes in an innings by an Indian (13 sixes)
- Second-fastest T20I century by an Indian (37 balls)
- Second-fastest fifty by an Indian (17 balls)
Breaking Down the Innings
The left-hander’s assault included:
- 13 sixes and 7 fours
- Strike rate of 250
- 58 runs in powerplay (21 balls)
- Reached 50 in 17 balls
- Completed century in 37 balls
Impact on the Match
India’s powerplay score of 95/1 was their highest ever in T20Is, setting the tone for a massive total. The innings helped India post 247/9, leading to England’s biggest T20I defeat as they were bowled out for 9724.
Previous Records Broken
Abhishek’s innings surpassed several notable records:
- Previous highest Indian T20I score: 126* by Shubman Gill
- Previous record for most sixes: 10 by Rohit Sharma
- Previous fastest Indian T20I fifty vs England: KL Rahul’s record
Series Performance
This wasn’t a one-off performance. Throughout the series, Abhishek showed remarkable consistency:
- 1st T20I: 79 off 34 balls (8 sixes)
- 5th T20I: 135 off 54 balls (13 sixes)
Abhishek Sharma Records Q&A
Q: What records did Abhishek break in this innings?
A: He broke the records for highest individual score by an Indian in T20Is (135), most sixes in an innings (13), and registered the second-fastest century by an Indian (37 balls).
Q: How does this compare to global records?
A: While the global record for most sixes in a T20I innings stands at 18 by Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan, Abhishek’s 13 sixes set a new benchmark for Indian cricket.
Q: What was the match result?
A: India won by 150 runs, bowling England out for 97 while defending 247/9.
Q: How did this impact the series?
A: This victory sealed a 4-1 series win for India against England.
Historical Context
This performance gains additional significance as it came against England, a top-tier cricket nation, at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. The innings drew comparisons to Yuvraj Singh’s famous performances, particularly fitting as Yuvraj is Abhishek’s mentor.
Technical Analysis
What made Abhishek’s innings special was his ability to hit sixes against both pace and spin:
- Three sixes off Adil Rashid
- Two against Mark Wood
- Multiple maximums against Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton
Impact on Indian Cricket
This innings has potentially solved India’s top-order aggression requirements in T20Is, with Abhishek emerging as a perfect fit for their new ultra-aggressive approach. His ability to dominate from ball one aligns perfectly with modern T20 requirements.
Expert Opinions
Cricket pundits and former players have lauded this as one of the finest T20I innings ever played by an Indian batsman, highlighting the perfect blend of power and precision in Abhishek’s batting.
Future Implications
This performance has likely cemented Abhishek’s place in India’s T20I setup, particularly with the T20 World Cup approaching. His ability to provide explosive starts while maintaining consistency makes him a valuable asset for India’s future campaigns.The innings will be remembered not just for the records it broke, but for the manner in which they were achieved – with fearless cricket that epitomizes the modern T20 approach.
Abhishek Sharma’s 135 against England stands as a testament to the evolving nature of T20 cricket and India’s growing prowess in the format.This extraordinary performance has set new benchmarks in Indian cricket and will serve as inspiration for future generations of cricketers. As Indian cricket continues its evolution in T20 cricket, Abhishek Sharma’s name will be remembered as one who helped redefine what’s possible in this format.