Kolkata: In a stunning display of power-hitting, Abhishek Sharma set the stage on fire with a blistering 79 off 34 balls in India’s comfortable victory over England in the first T20 International at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. His incredible knock helped India chase down a modest target of 133 in just 12.5 overs, with seven wickets remaining.
Sharma’s 20-ball half-century was not only the second-fastest by an Indian against England in the format but also a record-breaking feat. He hit a total of eight sixes, marking the most by an Indian in a T20I chase, surpassing the previous record of six held by the likes of Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rohit Sharma (who had done so twice). Sharma’s stunning performance added another remarkable chapter to India’s T20I chase records, with Sahil Chauhan from Estonia still holding the world record for most sixes (18) in a chase, and South Africa’s Richard Levi boasting 13 sixes against New Zealand among Full Member countries.
Spinners Dominate England’s Innings
Earlier in the match, India’s spinners were in full control, reducing England to a paltry 132 all-out. Axar Patel (2/22) and Varun Chakravarthy (3/23) put England’s batsmen under immense pressure, with only captain Jos Buttler managing to provide any resistance. Buttler played a lone hand with a gritty 68 off 44 balls but eventually fell to Chakravarthy, leaving England with a total that was always going to be difficult to defend.
A Record-Breaking Chase
In response, India was on top from the start, with Abhishek Sharma leading the charge. His 79-run blitz featured three sixes off Adil Rashid, two off Mark Wood, and one each off Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton, and Gus Atkinson. Sharma’s boundary-laden assault was key in taking India home in just over 12 overs, with contributions from Tilak Varma (19 off 16) and Sanju Samson (26 off 20) ensuring the chase was completed with ease.
This match also rekindled memories of Yuvraj Singh’s historic performances against England, notably in the 2007 T20 World Cup, where he famously hit six sixes in an over off Stuart Broad. Under the guidance of Yuvraj, Abhishek has now firmly established himself as one of the brightest young stars in Indian cricket, capable of dominating even the fastest bowlers in the shortest format.
With this victory, India not only took a commanding lead in the series but also saw one of their exciting young talents shine on the big stage.
