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Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma set a new record for India by scoring 95 runs in the powerplay during the fifth T20I against England at Wankhede Stadium.
Abhishek Sharma celebrates his century. (Sportzpics Photo)
Openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson and number three Tilak Varma’s stunning start for India in the fifth T20I against England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium broke the record for the most runs scored by the country in a powerplay. The hosts smashed a whopping 95 runs for the loss of just one wicket in the first 36 deliveries — 13 more than the previous best of 82/2 against Scotland in Dubai during the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Samson set the pace of the innings with a first-ball six against Jofra Archer. The English pacer bowled it short and quick on his body but the opener was ready to go back and across and hit him for a flat, 70-metre-long maximum. He got hit on the finger two balls later and needed some physio attention but made sure to end the over on a high, hitting a six and four on the last two balls.
Samson got out in the next over to Mark Wood and India managed just five runs from it. Still, Abhishek turned it on from the third, tonking Archer for 18 more runs with a four and two sixes. The left-hander was in stunning touch and didn’t let India feel a loss of momentum, also allowing Varma to settle on the other end.
England continued with Wood but Abhishek had got his eye in and found two more fours and another six. Varma also did well to let him have the strike. India had reached their 50 in just 3.5 overs and England wouldn’t have accepted it’ll only get worse in the last two.
Jos Buttler turned to Jamie Overton but Abhishek treated him with back-to-back-sixes on the first two balls. It got him to his half-century, off just 17 balls — the second-fastest for India in the format, only behind Yuvraj Singh. Tilak found his groove and got a six and a four on the last two balls, making it a 25-run over.
Buttler went aggressive and brought in part-timer Liam Livingstone for the crucial sixth over but it didn’t matter as Abhishek hit one boundary and Varma smashed two more for another 15-run over. Abhishek ended the powerplay at 58 (21) with Varma at 19 (8).
