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Abhishek Sharma made a grand entry onto the international stage for India with a stunning century against Zimbabwe on Sunday (July 7) in the 2nd T20I of the five-match series. His century came off just 46 balls in Harare, showcasing a remarkable comeback after a disappointing four-ball duck in the first T20I of the series.
Abhishek Sharma’s explosive century
From the outset, Abhishek was aggressive, starting his innings with a six-over deep square leg and continuing to dominate the Zimbabwe bowling attack. He particularly targeted the spinners, dispatching them to all corners of the park throughout his innings. His century marked him as the 10th Indian cricketer to achieve this feat in T20Is, becoming the first to do so against Zimbabwe. His 46-ball century stands as the third fastest by an Indian in the T20I format, with Rohit Sharma leading the list with a 35-ball hundred.
Also READ: ZIM vs IND: Reason why ther🐼e’s only one star on Team India jersey
Aggressive batting display against Zimbabwe
During his knocj, Abhishek smashed a total of 8 sixes and 7 fours, maintaining his aggressive approach throughout. Despite a stroke of luck when dropped on 27 in the 8th over, he capitalized on his opportunities. He notably took apart Dion Myers for 28 runs in one over and Wellington Masakadza for 2𓂃1 runs in another. Abhishek reached his century with a six, mirroring how he began his innings, sweeping Masakadza through fine leg i💜n the 14th over. Unfortunately, he got out attempting another big shot on the very next ball after reaching his milestone.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Jaiswal and Abhishek, what o⭕pen♛ing pair that would be!!
— Akash Deshpande (@akashd7781)
Abhishek Sharma. #4. Centurion for 🥹🧡
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers)
3 consecutive si💧xes to re☂ach your first intl hundred after getting a duck on debut, Abhishek Sharma has arrived 🥵
— cricket is ALIVE (@anubhav__tweets)
𒁃Mentored by Yuvraj Singh. Got to his maiden T20I hundred with 3 sixes! 🤌
Abhishek Sharm𝓀a is here to write his own story! 🇮�ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ�
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders)
Abhishek Sharma off the mark with a six in international cricket. No wonder he is a fan of𒅌 Yuvraj Singh.
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan)
One bad outing and people started questioning the selection of young players. The young lads came back and in style. Br🐟illiant century from Abhishek Sharm🍌a.
Let the young guns take their time. They will respond with results🥀 consistently. Keep believ🍨ing!
— Anubhav Prabhakar (@AapkaAnubhav)
India lost the f👍irst T20I to ensure there are more eyeballs when Abhishek Sharma gets his century in coming games. Well played for the newcomer.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer)
HUNDRED! Abhishek Sharma!
This is why people wanted him in the side.
A day after he gets a d𝄹uck, he gets a 46 ball century with plenty of big hits.
Hoℱpefully will be patient with the young folks! Top knock, that!
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS)
ABHISHEK SHARMA 💯
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh)
Abishek Sharma is incredible. What an innings.
— Adam Theo🇿🇼🏏 (@AdamTheofilatos)
46-ball century for Abhishek Sharma 💙
— betvisa69.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
Rinku Singh and Ruturaj Gaikwad propel India to humongous score
After the fall of Abhishek’s wickets, India’s batting was anchored by Ruturaj Gaikwad, who played a commanding unbeaten innings of 77 runs off 47 balls, including 11 fours and one six. Rinku Singh joined him with aggressive strokeplay, scoring a rapid 48 not out off just 22 deliveries, embellished with 2 fours and 5 sixes. Their partnership propelled India to a commanding total of 234/2 in their allotted 20 overs, showcasing a dominant batting display against the opposition’s bowling attack.
