On this day, July 7, 2024: Abhishek Sharma smashes maiden T20I century as India beat Zimbabwe by 100 runs. It was the second match of the T20I series between India and Zimbabwe played at Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe won the opening match of the series and were leading the series. India were batting first in the second match and lost the wicket of captain Shubman Gill as they were reduced to 10/1 and were in all sorts of trouble. Abhishek Sharma went all guns blazing and completely dominated the powerplay.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhishek Sharma put up a 137 run partnership for the second wicket as they completely took the game away from Zimbabwe. Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 77 runs and went unbeaten throughout the innings.
But the talking point was Abhishek Sharma who smashed his first ever T20I century and reached the milestone with a massive six. Abhishek Sharma smashed 100 runs of 47 balls before getting dismissed. His innings included seven fours and eight sixes and it was masterclass from the stylish left hander.
Rinku Singh scored 48 runs off just 22 balls to provide the finish for Team India as they ended up with 234/2 at the end of the first innings. After the disappointing loss in the opening match, this was the kind of innings that India were after and they got it. At the halfway mark India were completely ahead of the game. Chasing the target, Zimbabwe lost the wicket of Innocent Kaia in the first over and suffered an early dent in the innings.
Brian Bennett along with Wessly Madhevere were up for the task as they made good use of the next few overs. Bennett smashed 26 runs from nine balls but lost his wicket to Mukesh Kumar. Madhevere scored 41 runs but no other Zimbabwe batter could get going as they were bowled out for 134 in 19 overs and suffered a 100 run loss. India bounced back after the defeat in the opening match to level the series and Abhishek Sharma was the player of the match.
