Indian opener Abhishek Sharma made history, overtaking legendary Rohit Sharma to become the first batter ever to hit 100 sixes in the powerplay phase of T20I cricket. In a chase of 181, he gave India a solid start but perished to Mitchell Santner in the ninth over during a middle-order wobble. He scored 27 off 21 balls, including three fours and a six, at a strike rate of 128.57. Abhishek now has exactly 100 powerplay sixes in T20Is, with a balls-per-six rate of 7.77, the best in the format. Rohit smashed 98 powerplay sixes during his career, with a balls-per-six rate of 17.05. Former New Zealand opener Martin Guptill is third on the list, with 97 sixes in the powerplay and a balls-per-six rate of 16.58.
Abhishek achieved the milestone during India’s second T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch.
In 36 T20Is this year, Abhishek has scored 1,012 runs in 36 matches and innings at an average of 28.91 and a strike rate of 199.60, with one century and eight fifties. His highest score is 108. They had New Zealand reeling at 41/3 inside the powerplay. Glenn Phillips (70 off 46 balls, with four fours and four sixes) and Bevon Jacobs (58 off 46 balls, with five fours and a six) led New Zealand’s recovery after the early collapse. The duo stitched together a 116-run partnership for the fourth wicket, guiding the hosts to 180/5 in 20 overs. India now lead the five-match series 2-0.
Coming to the match, India won the toss and elected to bowl first.
