[Watch] Abhishek Sharma hits 3 consecutive sixes to reach maiden 100 in IND vs ZIM 2nd T20I
Abhishek Sharma starred with the bat for India against Zimbabwe in the second T20I at Harare Sports Club on Sunday, July 7. The left-hander smashed a hat-trick of sixes to reach his maiden century in international cricket.
The 23-year-old scored 100 runs off 47 balls at a strike rate of 212.77. His entertaining knock comprised eight sixes and seven boundaries. He reached his fifty off 33 balls and took just 13 deliveries to reach his hundred.
The landmark came in the 14th over of India’s innings. Abhishek slammed consecutive sixes off Wellington Masakadza before flicking another maximum over fine leg to reach the three-figure mark.
Watch the carnage below:
Abhishek Sharma grabbed the opportunity with both hands as he was dropped on 27. The southpaw eventually departed after his century, getting caught by Dion Myers off Wellington Masakadza in the 14th over.
Interestingly, Abhishek departed for a duck on his T20I debut in the previous game. The Punjab-born player took the least innings to hit a century for India in T20Is, going past Deepak Hooda (three innings).
Abhishek Sharma earned his maiden national call for the T20I series against Zimbabwe following a breakthrough Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The left-hander amassed 484 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 204.22 with the help of three half-centuries for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024.
Notably, Abhishek eclipsed Heinrich Klaasen and Virat Kohli (38 each) to hit the most sixes (42) in the latest IPL season.
Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad dominate Zimbabwe as India set a mammoth 235-run target in 2nd T20I
Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad dominated Zimbabwe as India posted 234/2 after 20 overs. The duo shared a 137-run partnership for the second wicket after India lost skipper Shubman Gill early after opting to bat first in the second T20I. Gaikwad scored an unbeaten 77 off 47 deliveries, including one six and 11 boundaries.
Rinku Singh provided the late flourish, scoring a quickfire 48 off 22, hitting five sixes and two boundaries. Wellington Masakadza and Blessing Muzarabani took one wicket each for the hosts.
The Men in Blue will be keen to return to winning ways in style after failing to chase down a modest target of 116 against Zimbabwe in the series opener. The two teams will next lock horns in the third T20I at the same venue on Wednesday, July 10.
Follow the IND vs ZIM 2nd T20I live score and updates here.