Records fall as Abhishek Sharma defeats Maiden T20I Century in second game against Zimbabwe

Playing just his second T20I for India, young batsman Abhishek Sharma scored his maiden century in the second match of a five-match series against Zimbabwe in Harare on Sunday. After completing his half-century in 33 balls, Abhishek played just 13 more deliveries to reach three figures. He hit seven fours and eight sixes at a strike rate of 212 but was out in the next ball after completing his century. Abhishek, who was dismissed for a duck on his debut, became the fastest Indian batsman, in terms of innings, to score a century for India in T20I cricket.

Abhishek also surpassed the tally of most sixes by an Indian in T20s this year (47), surpassing Rohit Sharma’s tally of 46.

This happened after Indian captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bat.

“I’ll bat first, same wicket as yesterday. Best opportunity for us to bat. It looks dry, it’s a beautiful sunny day. We need to improve our batting, Sudharsan comes in for Khaleel,” said Gill after winning the toss.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said the wicket would improve in the evening, so if he had won the toss he would have opted to bowl only first.

“It looks like a summer wicket, the pitch will improve. We wanted to launch first anyway. The blessing has been good, Chatara delivers it to us. He was right most of the time for the team,” Raza said.

Zimbabwe lead the series 1-0 after recording a shock victory in the series opener on Saturday.

India (Playing XI): Shubman Gill (c), Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel (w), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar.

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Wessly Madhevere, Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza(c), Dion Myers, Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande(w), Wellington Masakadza, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara.