Abhishek Sharma Stars as India Beat England 4-1 in T20 Series: In a spectacular display of batting prowess, Abhishek Sharma’s blistering century guided India to a commanding 150-run victory over England in the fifth and final T20 international at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. The win sealed a comprehensive 4-1 series triumph for the hosts, capping off a dominant performance in the T20 leg of the tour.
Put into bat after England won the toss, India got off to a flying start, thanks to Abhishek Sharma’s explosive innings. The opener smashed his way to a breathtaking 135 off just 54 balls, the second-fastest T20I century by an Indian batsman. His innings were laced with 13 sixes and seven fours, leaving the English bowlers with no answers. Abhishek’s assault propelled India to their highest powerplay score in T20Is, amassing 95 runs in the first six overs with 16 boundaries.
While Abhishek was the star of the show, he received valuable support from Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube, who played handy cameos to keep the momentum going. However, captain Suryakumar Yadav’s poor run of form continued as he was dismissed for just 2 runs, ending a disappointing series with only 28 runs to his name. Brydon Carse was the pick of the English bowlers, claiming the wickets of Tilak, Suryakumar, and Dube, while Mark Wood bowled with pace and aggression to dismiss Sanju Samson and Hardik Pandya.
India eventually posted a mammoth total of 247/5, setting England a daunting target of 248 to win.
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Chasing a record target, England started brightly with Phil Salt (55 off 23) taking the attack to the Indian bowlers. However, the visitors quickly lost their way as Indian spinners struck early, reducing England to 68-4. Salt’s dismissal marked the beginning of a spectacular collapse, with England losing their last six wickets for just 29 runs.
Mohammed Shami led the bowling charge with three wickets, while Varun Chakravarthy, Shivam Dube, and Abhishek Sharma chipped in with two wickets each. Abhishek, in particular, had a dream all-round performance, taking 2 wickets for just 3 runs in his solitary over. England were bowled out for a paltry 97 in just 10.3 overs, handing India a massive 150-run victory.
Key Performances
- Abhishek Sharma: The standout performer of the match, Abhishek’s 135 off 54 balls was a masterclass in aggressive batting. His 13 sixes and seven fours dismantled England’s bowling attack, and he followed it up with a crucial two-wicket haul.
- Phil Salt: The only England batsman to offer any resistance, Salt’s quickfire 55 gave England a glimmer of hope before the collapse.
- Mohammed Shami: The experienced pacer was lethal with the ball, picking up three wickets to break England’s backbone.
- Brydon Carse: Despite the onslaught, Carse bowled with discipline and claimed three key wickets, including that of the dangerous Abhishek Sharma.
India’s emphatic win in the final T20I underscored their dominance throughout the series. The team showcased a perfect blend of youth and experience, with Abhishek Sharma emerging as a new star. England, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly as the focus now shifts to the three-match ODI series, starting on February 6.
With the T20 series wrapped up, both teams will now prepare for the ODI leg of the tour. India will look to carry their momentum forward, while England will aim to bounce back and salvage some pride. The first ODI promises to be an exciting contest as the two cricketing giants lock horns once again.
