India vs Zimbabwe 2nd T20 Match Report: Abhishek Sharma’s maiden T20I ton helps India level series

Abhishek Sharma's explosive maiden century (X: BCCI)

Young India responded in style. On Saturday, in the first T20I against Zimbabwe, they couldn’t chase down 116. On Sunday, at the same venue, the tourists powered their way to 234/2 before restricting the hosts for 134 to win the game by 100 runs.

Abhishek Sharma gave a glimpse of what Indian T20I batting is going to be like in Gen X era, scoring 100 off 47 balls that had seven fours and eight sixes. It was the opener’s maiden international hundred in his second game at this level. He reached the landmark in 46 balls and it was the third fastest T20I century by an Indian, behind Rohit Sharma (35 balls) and Suryakumar Yadav (45 balls).

Abhishek got a reprieve when he was on 27, Wellington Masakadza dropping a skier off Luke Jongwe. Otherwise, the 23-year-old was at his belligerent best. He took 28 runs off a Dion Myers over and hit three consecutive sixes against Masakadza to reach his hundred. The way he played, it would make his mentor Yuvraj Singh proud.

Ruturaj Gaikwad had the box seat, as Abhishek went on a rampage at the other end. The former himself remained unbeaten on 77 off 47 balls and stitched a 137-run second wicket partnership with Abhishek. At the end, though, he was all praise for his partner. “He (Abhishek) chose the right bowlers, took on spin well,” Gaikwad told the host broadcaster during the innings break. (We) talked about holding our shape as it was a two-paced wicket. (It was a) great innings in the context of the game.”

Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bat on a dry surface. But the skipper got out in the second over, and Abhishek and Gaikwad chose to be cautious in the Powerplay. The focus was on building a partnership and the youngsters did the job to perfection. Midway into the innings, Abhishek exploded and took the game away from Zimbabwe. He scored his first 28 runs off 24 deliveries and his next 72 runs came in just 22 balls. Towards the end, Rinku Singh scored 48 not out off 22 balls to take India to a winning total.

When Zimbabwe batted, Brian Bennett provided some entertainment, scoring 26 off nine balls. But once he was out, it became a cakewalk for India. Avesh Khan was the most successful bowler, claiming 3/15. Mukesh Kumar returned with 3/37, while leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi bagged a couple (2/11).

In exclusive arrangement with RevSportz