By Prachi Mishra
Abhishek Sharma’s sweltering century led India to a thumping 150-run victory over England in the fifth T20I at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, securing the hosts a 4-1 series win. Sharma’s blistering knock of 135 off just 54 balls, which included 13 sixes and 7 fours, set a new record for the highest individual score by an Indian in T20 internationals, as India posted a daunting 247-9 in their 20 overs.
The result was a fitting end to India’s dominant T20I season, with Sharma taking center stage in a one-sided contest. After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, India quickly overcame an early setback when Sanju Samson got out. Sharma, however, turned the game on its head with a performance that had the crowd at the Wankhede buzzing.
The 22-year-old left-hander began cautiously but soon shifted gears, hammering England’s bowlers to all parts of the ground. His 17-ball half-century was the fastest by an Indian in the series, and by the time the 10-over mark arrived, Sharma was just one run short of becoming the second-fastest centurion for India in T20Is. At the time of the strategic timeout, India was at a commanding 143-2, with Sharma having put the game well out of England’s reach.
England’s bowlers were left clueless as Sharma’s range-hitting display became the highlight of the innings. In the fifth over, he struck four sixes off Jamie Overton, with one lofted cover drive off Brydon Carse being the pick of the shots. The onslaught continued as Sharma punished both pacers and spinners, including a flurry of sixes against leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who failed to find a way to stem the flow of runs.
Shivam Dube also played a handy cameo, contributing 27 runs off 15 balls, as India finished with 247-9. Despite losing wickets at the other end, Sharma’s destructive innings meant the hosts were always on track for a massive total.
In reply, England’s chase was as dramatic as it was short-lived. The visitors were bowled out for just 97 in 10.3 overs, unable to cope with the pressure of the steep target. Only Phil Salt offered some resistance with a fifty, while the rest of the England batting line-up crumbled under pressure. Mohammed Shami (3-25), Varun Chakravarthy (2-25) and Shivam Dube (2-11) were the key wicket-takers for India, with Sharma adding a brilliant 2-3 from his single over to complete a stunning all-round performance and becoming only the second cricketer after Glenn Maxwell to achieve the feat of completing a century and taking up more than one wicket in the same match in T20I format.
England’s collapse was swift and dramatic, with only two players managing to get into double figures. The match was effectively decided within the first 10 overs, as India’s bowlers tightened the noose and dismissed England with 57 balls remaining.
Team India coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized that India’s T20 strategy is now centered around playing fearless, high-risk cricket, aiming for big scores like 250-260 regularly, even if it occasionally results in low totals. He believes this approach, based on selflessness and boldness, is key to achieving success in major tournaments without fearing failure.
The series win marked a perfect end to India’s T20 campaign ahead of the upcoming ODI series, starting Thursday in Nagpur. With Sharma’s heroics, India will be brimming with confidence as they look to carry their momentum into the 50-over format.