Playing the first T20I against England, India opener Abhishek Sharma produced a six-hitting spell that put him ahead of every batter from a Full Member nation in T20I history. Even as the innings wobbled early on, Abhishek counterattacked his way to a landmark that had long belonged to West Indies' Evin Lewis.
India lose two wickets inside two overs
India won the toss at Chester-le-Street and opted to bat first, but the innings did not begin the way the team management would have wanted. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan were both dismissed inside the opening two overs, handing early momentum to the England bowlers. With the scoreboard under pressure, Abhishek Sharma decided to take the game on rather than rebuild cautiously.
Two sixes off Saqib Mahmood complete the milestone
Abhishek first went after spinner Liam Dawson, clearing the ropes with a clean six. He then targeted Saqib Mahmood, hitting back-to-back sixes in the same over. The second of those two strikes brought up his 100th six in T20I cricket. Getting there took Abhishek just 785 balls, making him the fastest batter from a Full Member nation to reach a hundred sixes in the format. The achievement pushed West Indies batter Evin Lewis, who had needed 789 balls for the same landmark, off the top of the list.
Fastest to 100 sixes in T20Is (Full Member nations)
- 785 balls, Abhishek Sharma
- 789 balls, Evin Lewis
- 871 balls, Finn Allen
- 931 balls, Tim David
A 20-ball fifty before Sam Curran ended the innings
India's top order continued to struggle in the background of Abhishek's assault, with Samson and Kishan both back in the dugout inside two overs of the innings. Abhishek used the powerplay to disrupt England's bowling plans, racing to his half-century in just 20 balls and maintaining a strike rate of more than 200 through his stay at the crease. His attacking innings finally ended when Sam Curran dismissed him. Abhishek walked off having scored 59 runs off 24 balls, an innings built around 6 fours and 4 sixes. His knock lifted India to 99 for the loss of 3 wickets after 10 overs.
