India batter Abhishek Sharma revealed that he used Shubman Gill’s bat for his blazing knock in his side’s second T20I against Zimbabwe on July 7. After failing to open his book against the same opponent in the series opener, Abhishek Sharma scored his maiden T20I century in the following match.
India batter Abhishek Sharma revealed that he used teammate and skipper Shubman Gill’s bat in his maiden T20I hundred during his side’s clash against Zimbabwe at Harare on July 7. Abhishek put in a Player of the match shift in India’s second game of the five-match T20I series against Sikander Raza-led Zimbabwe with his 100 off 47 balls knock.
Abhishek Sharma’s blistering 100 leads India’s charge
After getting dismissed for a duck on his India debut on July 6, it was Abhishek Sharma’s explosive innings alongside an equally brilliant Ruturaj Gaikwad that guided the run flow of India’s batting order. The duo built a strong stand at the crease after the early dismissal of skipper Shubman, with their prolific 137-run partnership. Abhishek Sharma’s century, with an unbeaten 77 off 46 by Ruturaj and a blazing cameo of 48 off 22 by Rinku Singh, took India to a total of 234 against the Zimbabwe bowling attack that wreaked havoc in the series opener.
After the batting brilliance, India continued the redemption with an excellent bowling performance from the likes of Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar. On top of Avesh’s 3/15, Bishnoi’s 2/11 and Mukesh’s 3/37 spells, India managed managed to bundle Raza’s Zimbabwe for just 134 runs.
During the post-match press-conference, Abhishek Sharma revealed that he used his skipper’s bat and also explained that it was not the first time he had done the same.
Abhishek Sharma makes interesting revelation after superb ton in IND vs ZIM 2nd T20I
Abhishek Sharma has revealed that he scored his maiden international hundred on Sunday, July 7, in Harare with skipper Shubman Gill’s bat. The left-hander added that he has been doing the same in pressure games right from the U-12 days. Abhishek Sharma and Gill go back a long way. They have played a lot together since their U-12 days. Gill was named the captain of the Indian team for the ongoing five-match T20I series in Zimbabwe, while Abhishek Sharma made his debut in the first T20I.
Both Shubman and Abhishek Sharma have been playing together since their time with the domestic cricket side of Punjab, and have shared a healthy relationship over the years. Even during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Abhishek Sharma was seen taking Shubman to meet his family in the stands for SRH’s clash against GT.
The left-hander was dismissed for a duck in his first international knock but more than made up for it with a superb 46-ball ton in the second T20I on Sunday. At the post-match press conference after the Men in Blue’s thumping 100-run win, Abhishek Sharma opened up on the special Gill connection to his memorable knock.
“It has been quite beautiful, starting as kids of 11-12 years. Yeah, we are playing together from Under-12. When I was selected for the country, the first call I received was from Shubman. Today, I played with his bat, so special thanks to the bat. It happened from the under-12 days, as whenever I play a pressure game I ask him for a bat,” the 23-year-old was quoted as saying by PTI.
“It had happened in the IPL as well. Today was no exception as it went well as it usually happens,” the aggressive southpaw went on to add.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad opener also went on to thank former India batter Yuvraj Singh and his own father for backing his aggressive style of play.
“Yuvi paaji has made a big contribution. I don’t consider myself as sixer-king or something like that. Special thanks to my dad for allowing me to play lofted shots.
“Generally, coaches don’t allow a young batter to hit lofted shots. But my dad always said if you wanted to play a lofted shot, then it should go out of the ground. So, I wanted to follow that,” Abhishek went on to explain.
The left-hander batter was handed an India call-up following a superb display for SRH in IPL 2024. In 16 matches, the youngster clobbered 484 runs at a strike rate of 204.22, with three half-centuries for the eventual runners-up.
“Will go for the shot from the first ball if it’s there in my slot” – Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma’s scintillating ton on Sunday was in complete contrast to his knock in the first T20I.
He was dismissed for a four-ball duck, trying to take on Brian Bennett. Reflecting on the two diverse performances, the batter asserted that he would keep playing his natural game from the word go. He also said that he wasn’t under any pressure despite failing on his international debut.
“I think the IPL plays a big role in this (handling pressure). We did not feel much pressure when we came here to represent the country as debutants. Unfortunately, we didn’t start well in the first match. But my mindset and approach were pretty much similar – to show the right intent,” the left-hander said.
“This is my game, and I will go for the shot from the first ball if it’s there in my slot. If it’s my day, then it works out, and if it does not, then I don’t mind. I practice a lot for this mindset,” Abhishek concluded.
The Indian opener struck seven fours and eight sixes in his knock as the Men in Blue put up 234-2, batting first. In their chase, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 134. With a 100 run win, India will be high on confidence for the third T20I on July 10.