In a breathtaking display of power hitting, Abhishek Sharma smashed a scintillating 135 runs to lead India to a commanding 150-run victory over England in the fifth and final T20I of the series. The victory handed India a 4-1 series win and capped off an unforgettable T20I season. The home team’s performance at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was nothing short of a masterclass, as Sharma’s remarkable innings steered India to an imposing total of 247/9 in 20 overs, leaving England’s chase in tatters.
Sharma’s match-winning knock was a series of remarkable strokes that redefined the boundaries of T20 batting. His 135 runs came off just 54 balls, and his boundary count included 7 fours and a staggering 13 sixes, setting a new record for the most sixes by an Indian in a T20I match. England, under intense pressure, collapsed for just 97 runs in 11 overs, falling short by a massive margin.
The England innings never really got off the ground, and they were bundled out well before the completion of their allotted overs. With the win, India wrapped up the series 4-1, with Suryakumar Yadav lifting the trophy at the end of the match, much to the delight of the enthusiastic Mumbai crowd.
India was sent in to bat after England won the toss, and the team got off to a fast start. Sanju Samson, who opened the innings with Sharma, set the tone by hitting the first ball for a six. However, Samson’s stay was short-lived as he holed out to deep square-leg after hitting the first ball of the match out of the park for a boundary. Despite the early loss, Sharma made sure the momentum never slowed down.
Abhishek initially seemed content to settle into the innings, but once he found his rhythm, there was no stopping him. By the time he reached his fifty off just 17 balls, India had already racked up 95 runs in the PowerPlay, their highest score ever in the first six overs of a T20I. His strike rate skyrocketed as he peppered the boundary ropes and sent the ball soaring into the stands with regularity.
The highlight of his innings came in the fifth over, where he hit a remarkable four sixes off England’s Jamie Overton, propelling India to a blistering start. In total, Sharma’s innings included a variety of shots: lofted drives, pulls, cuts, and towering sixes over the leg and offside. Every England bowler that took to the field faced a batter in full flow, as Sharma tore apart the opposition’s plans.
England’s chase never got going as the Indian bowlers put the visitors under immediate pressure. The destructive batting performance from Sharma had already set an unattainable target, and England’s response was lackluster at best. With wickets falling regularly, it was clear that England had no answer to the immense total set by India.
Phil Salt was the lone bright spot in the England innings, scoring a fighting fifty. However, he lacked support at the other end as the wickets tumbled. Jacob Bethell was the only other England batter to make it to double digits as India’s bowlers, led by Mohammed Shami, tore through the lineup. Shami claimed three wickets, while the other bowlers chipped in with vital breakthroughs, keeping the pressure on England throughout.
The Indian fielding and bowling units were as clinical as ever, with Dhruv Jurel impressing behind the stumps. Jurel, replacing Samson who injured his finger early in the game, took three catches, including a brilliant catch down the leg-side off Mark Wood’s inside edge. Jurel’s stumping and sharp glovework played a key role in helping India dismiss England well within the 11th over.
Shivam Dube, who played a handy cameo with the bat during India’s innings, ensured that the latter part of the game was a mere formality. Once Sharma’s fireworks were over, Dube’s quickfire knock and the lower-order contributions ensured that India reached 247, leaving England with an insurmountable target.
Abhishek Sharma’s 135 will be remembered as one of the most destructive innings ever played in T20I cricket. His explosive knock was the defining feature of the match, but the overall team performance, from the solid opening partnership to the disciplined bowling, was exceptional. India’s 150-run victory was a fitting way to conclude an excellent T20I series, and the home team will take a lot of confidence into future competitions as they head into the next phase of their international calendar.
As for England, the loss was a bitter one, but with a few adjustments and more consistency, they will look to bounce back in future series.
