Abhishek Sharma's scintillating century led India to a commanding 150-run victory over England in the fifth T20I

Abhishek Sharma’s Blazing Century Seals India’s Dominant T20 Series Victory Over England


Abhishek Sharma’s scintillating century led India to a commanding 150-run victory over England in the fifth T20I, securing a dominant 4-1 series win at Wankhede.


Abhishek Sharma’s Heroics Lead India to Resounding Series Win

India wrapped up a spectacular T20 series with a crushing 150-run victory over England in the fifth and final match at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. The hosts secured a dominant 4-1 series win, thanks to a breathtaking century by opener Abhishek Sharma and a stellar bowling performance that dismantled England’s batting lineup.
England, facing a formidable target of 248, started with promise as Phil Salt blazed his way to a quick-fire 55 off 23 balls. However, his aggressive start received little support from the other end as Indian bowlers tore through the batting order. Reduced to 68-4 in no time, England collapsed spectacularly, crumbling to 97 all out in just 10.3 overs. Mohammed Shami spearheaded the bowling attack with three wickets, while Varun Chakravarthy, Shivam Dube, and Abhishek Sharma each contributed with two wickets apiece.

England’s Batting Meltdown as India’s Bowlers Dominate

England’s chase started on a high note, with Salt finding the boundary regularly in the powerplay. However, his partners failed to counter India’s disciplined attack. The Indian spinners, led by Chakravarthy, applied relentless pressure, forcing England into early trouble. As wickets tumbled, England never recovered, and the innings folded meekly.
Reflecting on his performance, Chakravarthy, who was named Player of the Series, acknowledged areas for improvement. “This is the best I’ve bowled, but there’s always scope to get better. A few deliveries weren’t ideal, and I need to work on that,” he said. “Bowling the right ball at the right time was my focus, and it paid off.”

Abhishek Sharma’s Explosive Knock Sets Up India’s Mammoth Total

Batting first, India delivered an electrifying start, racking up their highest-ever powerplay score of 95 runs. The charge was led by Abhishek Sharma, whose fearless strokeplay left England’s bowlers stunned. He smashed a blistering 135 off just 54 balls, notching up the second-fastest T20I century for India. His innings featured 13 towering sixes and seven fours, ensuring India set an imposing total of 247.
Speaking after his match-winning performance, Abhishek expressed his delight. “Scoring a century for my country is always special. When I realize it’s my day, I try to dominate from the first ball,” he said. “Facing bowlers who clock 140-150 km/h, you have to react quickly and trust your instincts.”
While Abhishek led the charge, other Indian batters found it tough to settle. Brydon Carse provided crucial breakthroughs for England, dismissing Tilak Varma and the struggling Indian captain, Suryakumar Yadav, in successive overs. Dube played a brief but impactful cameo, but Suryakumar’s lean patch continued as he managed just two runs, concluding a disappointing series tally of 28 runs.

England’s Bowlers Struggle, But Carse and Wood Show Promise

Despite India’s relentless attack, England found some solace in their bowling, particularly through Carse and Mark Wood. The latter, replacing Saqib Mahmood, bowled with fiery pace and picked up the key wickets of Sanju Samson and Hardik Pandya. Carse’s disciplined spell temporarily slowed India’s momentum, but with Abhishek in full flow, England had no answers.
Reflecting on the series loss, England captain Jos Buttler acknowledged his team’s shortcomings but remained optimistic. “We’re disappointed to lose the series, but there are positives to take away. Some things worked well, and some areas need improvement,” he said. “Carse and Wood bowled exceptionally well, and Abhishek’s innings was one of the best I’ve seen.”

What’s Next for India?

With this resounding series win, India now shifts its focus to the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, set to begin on February 6. The team will aim to carry forward the momentum and fine-tune their squad ahead of upcoming international fixtures.

Source:  (Reuters)

(Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and match reports. Details are subject to change, and readers are advised to refer to official sources for the latest updates.)

 

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