![Abhishek Sharma notches up huge world record [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1782488388369_Abhishek_Sharma.jpg?type=hq)
Abhishek Sharma notches up huge world record [Source: AFP]
India’s firebrand opener Abhishek Sharma notched up a huge world record through the course of his counterattacking knock against Ireland. Opening the innings, the blistering left-hander rained down a 19-ball half-century in the first T20I of the two-match series in Belfast.
The innings marked Abhishek’s 11th fifty in T20I cricket, and his 13th score of fifty or more in the format.
Abhishek Sharma scales huge world record, surpasses New Zealanders
Abhishek Sharma raced to a 19-ball half-century against Ireland in India’s first T20I of their away series in Belfast. Despite losing partners at the other end, the left-hander launched seven boundaries and two huge sixes in India’s tall chase of 183 runs.
Unfortunately for the Indian fans, Abhishek failed to go past the 50-run mark as he was instantly dismissed by Liam McCarthy. The cricketer dispatched McCarthy’s length delivery, only to find Ben Calitz at deep midwicket in the eighth over of the innings as India slipped to further trouble at 80-4.
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Regardless, Abhishek’s innings marked the fourth half-century of his career which he brought up in less than 20 deliveries. Notably, the cricketer now has four half-centuries brought up in fewer than 20 deliveries in T20Is.
With four such knocks in a career featuring just 13 scores of fifty or more, nearly one-third of his fifty-plus scores have come in under 20 balls, a record unmatched by any player in international cricket.
He surpassed New Zealand openers Colin Munro and Finn Allen (three each) to scale the huge world record in T20I cricket.
Most T20I fifties in less than 20 balls:
- Abhishek Sharma – 4
- Colin Munro – 3
- Finn Allen – 3
India suffers shock defeat to go 0-1 down in series
Even though Abhishek Sharma slapped a fiery half-century, India failed to chase down Ireland’s 183 in the series-opening first T20I.
Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and newly-appointed captain Shreyas Iyer all fell for just single digit scores as India’s top order crashed to 60-3 inside the powerplay overs. Tilak Varma made a sluggish 21-ball 19, and Washington Sundar scored nine off 12 balls as India’s troubles worsened further at 100-6 in 20 overs.
Shivam Dube launched a couple of huge sixes towards the end, but 148 was all India could manage in the run chase.
Earlier in the game, a half-century from Lorcan Tucker lifted Ireland from a troublesome 51-4 to a competitive 182-9 from 20 overs. Prasidh Krishna leaked 57 runs from his four wicketless overs after sublime new ball spells from Arshdeep Singh and comeback man Harshit Rana.
India to face Ireland in second T20I in series decider
With series on the line, the Shreyas Iyer-led Indian team will now take on Ireland in the second T20I on June 28 at the same Belfast venue. The action is slated to commence from 6:00 PM IST onwards.
It is worth noting that Team India has not lost a single T20I series, bilateral or otherwise, since losing the five-match rubber in the West Indies way back in August 2023.
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