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

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.”