ZIM vs IND: Abhishek Sharma shines with Shubman Gill’s bat in second T20I against Zimbabwe
Xtra Time Web Desk: India's rising star, Abhishek Sharma, delivered a sensational performance in the second T20I against Zimbabwe on July 7, revealing post-match that he used teammate and skipper Shubman Gill's bat for his extraordinary knock. After a disappointing debut where he was dismissed for a duck, Abhishek roared back with a maiden T20I century, scoring a blistering 100 off 47 balls.
Read More: ZIM vs IND: Abhishek Sharma reveals father's role in his big-hitting success
The match, held at Harare, saw Abhishek's performance earn him the Player of the Match award. His explosive innings, coupled with a stellar 77 off 46 balls from Ruturaj Gaikwad, formed a crucial 137-run partnership that anchored India’s innings after the early dismissal of captain Shubman Gill. The pair, along with a fiery cameo of 48 off 22 balls by Rinku Singh, propelled India to a commanding total of 234 runs.
For his maiden ???? in his second T20I, Abhishek Sharma receives the Player of the Match ????#TeamIndia win by 100 runs and level the series 1️⃣ - 1️⃣
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 7, 2024
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/yO8XjNqmgW#TeamIndia | #ZIMvIND | @IamAbhiSharma4 pic.twitter.com/b72Y9LaAiq
In the post-match press conference, Abhishek shared the secret behind his batting success, attributing it to the use of Gill's bat. “I played with Shubman’s bat today - I did it earlier also. Whenever I need runs - I ask for his bat,” Abhishek revealed. This strategy has proven effective for him on multiple occasions, showcasing the strong bond and mutual trust between the two players, who have played together since their days with Punjab's domestic cricket team.
Read More: ZIMvsIND: Abhishek Sharma's maiden T20I hundred powers India to victory
The Indian team, looking to bounce back after the series opener, not only excelled with the bat but also put on a dominant display with the ball. Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar led the bowling attack, dismantling Zimbabwe's lineup and restricting them to just 134 runs. Avesh Khan’s impressive 3/15, Bishnoi’s 2/11, and Mukesh Kumar’s 3/37 were instrumental in securing India’s 100-run victory.
With this emphatic win, India heads into the third T20I on July 10 with renewed confidence and momentum, aiming to extend their lead in the five-match series against the Sikander Raza-led Zimbabwe team.
