Abhishek Sharma demolishes Zimbabwe with maiden ton as India level T20I series

Abhishek Sharma’s maiden hundred and a fine effort from Men in Blue bowlers helped India level the T20I series 1-1 against Zimbabwe with a 100-run win in the second match at Harare on Sunday.

After an unexpected 13-run defeat in the first T20I on Saturday where the entire team was bowled out for just 102 chasing 116, India’s inexperienced batters gave a much better account of themselves batting first in the second match.

Men in Blue posted a mammoth 234/2, while Zimbabwe were bowled out for 134.

Abhishek, who got out on a duck on his debut, was declared the Player of the Match as he came out all guns blazing and slammed his first century in international cricket in just 46 balls. The opener smashed eight sixes in his innings and got to the three figures with three consecutive maximums. He also hit seven fours in his knock.

More from First Cricket

Former New Zealand coach who defeated India in WTC final appointed Andhra Pradesh head coach for Ranji Trophy Sri Lanka crush Bangladesh by six wickets to record commanding win in Asia Cup 2025

𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙘 𝙞𝙣 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙚 🌪️🏏@IamAbhiSharma4 smashes 100 in 47 balls 🥵💪#SonySportsNetwork #ZIMvIND #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/hHYlTopD1V

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 7, 2024

Ruturaj Gaikwad (77 not out off 47) and Rinku Singh (48 off 22 balls) provided much-needed support to Abhishek during India’s innings.

In reply, Zimbabwe lost opener Innocent Kaia in the first over, but Wessly Madhevere (43 off 39) and Brian Bennett (26 off 9) steadied the innings with a quick-fire 36-run second-wicket partnership before the hosts lost their next six wickets for just 36 runs.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

'Won't require surgery...': Real reason behind Jasprit Bumrah's absence from 5th Test revealed in new report

PCB bans players from WCL over India-Pakistan match controversy

Luke Jongwe scored 33 off 26 from the No.9 spot to offer some late resistance but eventually Zimbabwe were bowled out for 134 with eight balls remaining.

For India, pacers Mukesh Kumar (3/37), Avesh Khan (3/15), and leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi (2/11) were the top-performing bowlers.

Brief Scores: India: 234 for 2 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 100, Ruturaj Gaikwad 77 not out, Rinku Singh 48 not out) beat Zimbabwe: 134 all out in 18.4 overs (Wessly Madhevere 43, Brian Bennett 26, Luke Jongwe 33; Mukesh Kumar 3/37, Avesh Khan 3/15, Ravi Bishnoi 2/11 ) by 100 runs.