In Harare, youngster Abhishek Sharma combined power with grace for a brilliant 46-ball 100 that propelled India to a massive 234 for two against hosts Zimbabwe in a much-improved batting performance in the second T20 International here on Sunday.
The total was India's highest against Zimbabwe in T20 Internationals, surpassing the previous record of 186, a fitting comeback after an inexplicable batting collapse in the opening game.
Having endured the disappointment of a four-ball duck in his debut, Abhishek, the most prolific Indian six-hitter in the IPL, showcased his talent by hitting eight sixes and seven fours in his knock.
He added 137 runs for the second wicket with Ruturaj Gaikwad (77 not out off 47 balls), who was completely overshadowed by the Punjab left-hander.
Abhishek got a reprieve on 27 when Wellington Masakadza bowled a regulation skier off Luke Jongwe. After that, he never looked back.
Abhishek started his international career tally with six-spinner Brian Bennett, who surpassed him on Saturday.
His fifty came from another, six behind medium pacer Dion Myers, whose run of 28 actually opened the floodgates over the last 10 for the visitors.
The most eye-pleasing shot was his inside-out six against rival captain Sikandar Raza, elevating his counter-attack with the turn over the extra cover boundary.
If that was elegance personified, the way he propelled left-arm spinner Masakadza into orbit with consecutive sixes was a testament to his raw power.
He brought up his milestone hundred when he guided a wayward full delivery over the stump behind square to a maximum before being dismissed on the next delivery.
Upon returning to the dugout, he was congratulated by his captain and best friend, Shubman Gill, who once again had an indifferent exit.
The best part of his innings was how he changed gears as India scored 74 for 1 after the first 10 overs. In the next five, they smashed 78, courtesy of Yuvraj Singh's student, who threw the kitchen sink at the Zimbabwe bowlers.
The poor fielding effort also hurt Zimbabwe as they also dropped the catch of Gaikwad, who took off from where Abhishek had left off, making 87 runs off 36 balls for the third wicket with Rinku Singh (48 not out off 22 balls), who also had fun. with five huge sixes.
The total was India's highest against Zimbabwe in T20 Internationals, surpassing the previous record of 186, a fitting comeback after an inexplicable batting collapse in the opening game.
Having endured the disappointment of a four-ball duck in his debut, Abhishek, the most prolific Indian six-hitter in the IPL, showcased his talent by hitting eight sixes and seven fours in his knock.
He added 137 runs for the second wicket with Ruturaj Gaikwad (77 not out off 47 balls), who was completely overshadowed by the Punjab left-hander.
Abhishek got a reprieve on 27 when Wellington Masakadza bowled a regulation skier off Luke Jongwe. After that, he never looked back.
Abhishek started his international career tally with six-spinner Brian Bennett, who surpassed him on Saturday.
His fifty came from another, six behind medium pacer Dion Myers, whose run of 28 actually opened the floodgates over the last 10 for the visitors.
The most eye-pleasing shot was his inside-out six against rival captain Sikandar Raza, elevating his counter-attack with the turn over the extra cover boundary.
If that was elegance personified, the way he propelled left-arm spinner Masakadza into orbit with consecutive sixes was a testament to his raw power.
He brought up his milestone hundred when he guided a wayward full delivery over the stump behind square to a maximum before being dismissed on the next delivery.
Upon returning to the dugout, he was congratulated by his captain and best friend, Shubman Gill, who once again had an indifferent exit.
The best part of his innings was how he changed gears as India scored 74 for 1 after the first 10 overs. In the next five, they smashed 78, courtesy of Yuvraj Singh's student, who threw the kitchen sink at the Zimbabwe bowlers.
The poor fielding effort also hurt Zimbabwe as they also dropped the catch of Gaikwad, who took off from where Abhishek had left off, making 87 runs off 36 balls for the third wicket with Rinku Singh (48 not out off 22 balls), who also had fun. with five huge sixes.
