Guwahati, India - Abhishek Sharma's explosive batting display propelled India to a dominant T20I series victory against New Zealand on Sunday. Sharma's blistering 14-ball half-century, the second-fastest by an Indian in T20I history, set the stage for an emphatic eight-wicket win in the third T20I at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
Chasing a target of 154, Sharma's fearless approach and clean hitting dismantled the New Zealand bowlers. He remained unbeaten on 68 off just 20 deliveries, an innings studded with seven boundaries and five towering sixes. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav complemented Sharma's assault with a rapid 57 off 26 balls, ensuring India reached the target in a mere 10 overs. This victory gave India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
In a post-match interview, Sharma shed light on his mindset behind the stunning innings. He emphasized the importance of mental focus and a supportive dressing room environment. "That's what my team wants from me and I just want to execute all the time," Sharma explained. "But obviously, it's not easy to do it every time. Mental focus and the dressing room atmosphere help a lot".
Sharma also addressed his fearless approach to batting, stating it wasn't about premeditated aggression but rather instinctive decision-making. "I wouldn't say I aim to hit big off the first ball. It's instinct, thinking about the bowler and how I can play him. It's always in my mind," he said. He further elaborated on his footwork, highlighting the importance of field placement awareness. "It's all about field placement. I only step out if there's room, especially on the leg side," Sharma added.
Sharma's incredible knock not only secured a series victory for India but also etched his name in the record books. His 14-ball fifty is second only to Yuvraj Singh's record of 12 balls against England in 2007. Singh playfully acknowledged Sharma's innings on social media, tweeting, "Still can't get a 50 off 12 balls, can you? Well played – keep going strong!".
Prior to this match, Sharma had spoken about his "ultra-aggressive approach" and his focus on "timing" rather than pure power hitting. He acknowledged that he relies more on timing the ball, as he doesn't have a lot of shots at his disposal. Sharma also emphasized the importance of adapting to different conditions and planning before matches. "I feel I'm more of a timing batter. So, for me, I have to just watch the ball and get used to the conditions because we are playing all over India right now and so I have to adapt to the conditions very quickly," he stated.
With the T20 World Cup approaching next month, Sharma's explosive form is a major boost for India. His ability to score quickly at the top of the order provides India with momentum and sets the tone for their innings. Coupled with the return to form of Suryakumar Yadav and the strong bowling performance led by Jasprit Bumrah (3-14) in this match, India appear well-prepared to defend their T20 World Cup title.
