New Delhi: Abhishek Sharma brushed off the disappointment of getting a duck on his international debut by smashing a 46-ball century (7×4, 8×6) in the second T20 International against Zimbabwe at Harare on Sunday.
The exciting left-handed opener, hurting from India’s shocking 13-run defeat in the series opener just 24 hours earlier, raced to his 100 with three consecutive sixes off left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza.
Abhishek and Ruturaj Gaikwad plundered 137 runs for the second wicket after skipper Shubman Gill fell for 2 in the second over. Ruturaj took centrestage after Abhishek’s dismissal and remained unbeaten on a brilliant 77 (off 47 balls, 11×4, 1×6) while Rinku Singh was 48 not out off 22 balls (2×4, 5×6) as India finished on 234/2 in 20 overs.
Having set IPL 2024 on fire with his six-hitting prowess, the Sunrisers Hyderabad batter was in a belligerent mood from the outset.
Abhishek’s timing wasn’t perfect initially, and he was lucky to be dropped on 27. He took full advantage, launching at the spinners with vengeance.
His 50 came off 33 balls, but took just 13 balls to get his next 50.
