ZIM vs IND 2024: Abhishek Sharma joins rare list after getting off the mark with six

Abhishek Sharma. (Source – Zimbabwe Cricket)

Abhishek Sharma joined the rare list of smashing a six to get off the mark in T20 international cricket. Abhishek burst out onto the scene with his power-hitting and fearless play for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024 and made his international debut in the first T20I against Zimbabwe on July 6. The batter, however, got out on a duck and played four balls. But the southpaw looked at his best in the second T20I on July 7.

He was facing his first ball against Brian Bennett and pulled one towards deep backward square leg for a maximum. He became the only third player to do so in T20Is after Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma. Suryakumar smashed six on his debut against England in 2021 and Tilak scored a maximum on his debut against West Indies in 2023.

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Meanwhile, Abhishek continued his onslaught after Shubman Gill departed in the second over. He was well supported by Ruturaj Gaikwad as the duo steered India to a three-digit score in 11 overs. The opener brought up his first half-century in some style smashing maximum and reaching there in just 33 deliveries.

The Punjab batter was on song and showed why he is termed as the T20 maverick. He accelerated like there was no tomorrow and notched up his maiden century in just 46 deliveries. He just took 13 deliveries to get to the latter half of his score before departing for 100 in 47 balls. The 23-year-old smashed seven boundaries and eight maximums in his onslaught against Zimbabwe.