Abhishek Sharma of India hitting a over boundary during the 5th T20I match between India and England held at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India on the 2nd February 2025. (Sportzpics)
Abhishek Sharma slammed 13 sixes in his belligerent assault on England to completely bedazzle the visitors and bat them out of the contest as 99 of his 135 came off boundaries. But here are fine of the finest maximums.
Over 2.6: Archer to Abhishek
One ball earlier he had managed a maximum over point for six. Jofra Archer responded with a 148 kmph and Abhishek made room for himself to be in a position from where he could get the ball at full length. It was a decent ball but the space gave him additional power to generate. He hammered one inside-out to the world’s fastest seamer and got legendary Sunil Gavaskar calling it one of the best shots of the series. The lofted cover drive six left people mesmerised. The timing and power generated had sheer elegance and class in it. The second six ended up even better.
Abhishek Sharma has smashed his way to a half-century in just 17 balls! 💥🔥
He’s making it look so easy!📺 Start watching FREE on Disney+ Hotstar: https://t.co/ZbmCtFSvrx#INDvENGOnJioStar 👉 5th T20I LIVE NOW on Disney+ Hotstar & Star Sports! | #KhelAasmani pic.twitter.com/E6sSFxWjHg
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 2, 2025
Over 4.1: Overton to Abhishek
He went back inside his crease, like his opening team mate Sanju Samson does. Jamie Overton bowled an off-cutter but Abhishek was in a position where he just needed to find the middle of his blade and loft it straight back to long-off for his fourth six. He had all the time to be behind the ball. His head position remained still and his back leg was near the off-middle stump. His timing remained the highlight of his batting so far with the high backlift adding more power.
Over: 6.4: Rashid to Abhishek
He came down the ground, his backfoot still in the air and Abhishek charged into a lofted six over the bowlers’ head to get his sixth six in the game. The ball was dispatched a few meters away from the commentary box, and looked like this one stroke was for the commentators. They too were short of words as Abhishek continued his assault. The elegant opener was in sublime touch and there was hardly any time when he didn’t get the sweet spot off his bat.
Sharma ji ka beta on Fire🔥
📺 Start watching FREE on Disney+ Hotstar: https://t.co/ZbmCtFSvrx#INDvENGOnJioStar 👉 5th T20I LIVE NOW on Disney+ Hotstar & Star Sports! | #KhelAasmani pic.twitter.com/ZIJNLX8sej
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 2, 2025
Over 7.5: Livingstone to Abhishek
Livingstone went wide of the off stump line but Abhishek got hold of it. Even though he got only one-handed to it over covers, he still managed to dispatch it over the fence. His 8th so far. He got the bottom hand off to grab traction, but it had no repercussions as he still imparted more power to it to see the ball sailing easily passing 80 meters. England had no option other than to admire the Indian openers’ batting display.
Over 17.2: Rashid to Abhishek
This time 90 meters looked nearby. Abhishek connected it with ease to see him scoring his 12th six at the Wankhede Stadium. England kept staring like they had done all this innings. And had no answers to stop Abhishek, for only he could have stopped himself. The ball landed in front, Abhishek wasn’t in two minds. He jumped on it and swung his bat hard to middle it. The middle was enough to see it sailing high over the leggie’s head.
