![Abhishek creates unwanted feat [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1772117083559_Abhishekcreatesunwantedfeat.jpg?type=hq)
Abhishek creates unwanted feat [Source: AFP]
India’s biggest headache heading into the T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Zimbabwe was the form of Abhishek Sharma. The number one T20I-ranked batter came into the World Cup as the best player in the world, but what followed was a string of nightmares as he registered three ducks in a row.
He started the tournament with a duck against the USA, and the trend continued against Pakistan and the Netherlands as Abhishek’s confidence was at an all-time low. Against South Africa in the Super 8, the southpaw opened his account, but scored only 15 runs.
Abhishek's unwanted feat despite 26-ball fifty
He struggled for runs, and the Zimbabwe bowlers had their plans ready for Abhishek. However, destiny had some other plans as the opener started cautiously, but once he struck his first boundary, there was no looking back as the left-handed player smashed a 26-ball fifty to light up Chennai.
Ironically, this was his second slowest fifty in terms of balls faced (26). His previous slowest in the format came against Zimbabwe too when he got to 50 off 33 balls in Harare in 2024.
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Abhishek's performance vs Zimbabwe
On the back of four consecutive failures, Abhishek was under extreme pressure to deliver the goods against Zimbabwe. With a new partner at the other end (Sanju Samson), Abhishek started the innings on a cautious note, but it was only a matter of time before he exploded.
He started the attack by targeting the weak link, Tinotenda Maposa. Once the shackles were broken, Abhishek played some exquisite shots as he scored his maiden T20 World Cup hundred, and eventually departed for a 30-ball 55.
However, despite playing some lovely shots, the opener looked a bit off, and it was perhaps due to a lack of confidence that he carried in this crucial T20 World Cup game.
A major record achieved by Abhishek vs Zimbabwe
Apart from scoring a 26-ball fifty, which was his second slowest, the Indian opener achieved a stellar feat and joined an elusive Indian list.
Abhishek now has the joint third-most fifty-plus scores by an Indian opener in T20Is. Rohit Sharma tops the list with 32 fifty-plus scores, followed by KL Rahul with 21, and Shikhar Dhawan and Abhishek sit at the third spot with 11 such scores of fifty-plus by an opener.
However, it is also to be noted that of all the players in the list, Abhishek has played the least amount of games, and has ample time to surpass in this exclusive list of openers.
Onslaughts from Abhishek and co steer India to commanding total
The trusted pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek started the innings on a positive note as the duo added 48 runs in 3.4 overs before Samson departed.
Ishan Kishan joined Abhishek and the duo continued the onslaught as the Zimbabwe attack had no answer against their batting. Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Tilak Varma also joined the fun as India posted their highest-ever T20 World Cup total to punish the Chevrons.
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