Indian cricket team player Abhishek Sharma obliterated a jaw-dropping world record by scoring a fifty in just 22 balls in the very first T20I match against New Zealand at Nagpur on Wednesday. It was an aggressive performance from the left-handed opener and he took control over the New Zealand bowlers right from the start. Abhishek scored the milestone through 4 fours and 4 sixes. As a result of his amazing knock, he was the first batter in the world to score 8 T20I half-centuries in 25 or fewer deliveries. Before that, he was sharing the spot with Suryakumar Yadav, Phil Salt, and Evis Lewis at 7.
Record of 50 in 25 or fewer balls most times in T20Is
8 – Abhishek Sharma
7 – Phil Salt
7 – Suryakumar Yadav
7 – Evin Lewis
This was also the quickest fifty in terms of balls for India against New Zealand in T20Is. Previously the record was held by KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma who completed their fifties in 23 balls.
Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and put India to bat with pacer Kristian Clarke making his debut. Left-handed wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was recalled to the Indian T20I side for the first time in 2023. With Shubman Gill dropped, Sanju Samson was back as the opener along with an in-form Abhishek Sharma.
The series is set to take place just before the T20 World Cup which will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7, and where the Suryakumar Yadav-led team will be the defending champions.
“We chose to bowl first because we imagined there would be some dew around 8:30pm during our practice. However, we do not mind putting runs on the board and we have done well batting first. Shreyas, Harshit, Bishnoi and Kuldeep will not be participating today,” said Suryakumar, who is playing his 100th T20I match.
New Zealand beat India in an ODI series earlier in the month, making it the first time that New Zealand has done so in India.
“It is a nice wicket and it is likely to be a high-scoring match. Last week was really amazing for us. Every team knows how tough it is to come to India and win. But this time it’s a new series and they are a strong team in their home conditions. Excellent for us regarding preparation for the World Cup,” said captain Mitchell Santner about the starting series.
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