Abhishek Sharma makes history with fastest 2000 T20I runs, smashes 18-ball fifty

Abhishek Sharma made history by becoming the fastest batsman to reach 2000 runs in T20 Internationals in terms of balls faced, breaking the record previously held by former India captain Suryakumar Yadav. The left-handed opener reached the milestone during the third T20I against West Indies at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday, October 11.

The 26-year-old reached the milestone in just 1,024 balls, comfortably surpassing Suryakumar, who completed 2,000 T20I runs against South Africa in 1,164 balls in December 2023 at Gqeberha.

Abhishek followed up his record-breaking performance with a stunning 18-ball half-century and made up for it by not converting his start in the opening T20I, where he scored 21. The left-hander was in destructive form in Indore and dismantled the West Indies bowlers with a breathtaking display of power hitting.

HOW ABHISHEK rattled in Western India

He wasted little time settling in as he faced Roston Chase in the second round. Abhishek smashed two sixes over the offside, including a brilliant inside-out drive over cover, before getting a boundary over cover point. His fearless approach immediately put the visitors under pressure.

Shamar Springer was next to feel the heat as Abhishek hit two fours and a six in the fourth over, taking advantage of gaps in the field and punishing deliveries outside the off-stump. He continued his onslaught off Shamar Joseph, blasting another six over cover before adding a boundary with a fine chip over mid-wicket.

Abhishek brought up his half-century by pulling Joseph’s short delivery towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. It was his first fifty of the series and 14th of his T20I career.

After Sanju Samson fell cheaply, Abhishek joined forces with Ishan Kishan and the pair stitched a blistering half-century partnership in just 20 balls. Their aggressive approach kept the Indian score high before Roston Chase broke the 108-run mark by dismissing Kishan who scored 37.

Abhishek eventually made 69 off just 30 balls, hitting six fours and five sixes. His explosive innings ended in the 10th over when Springer dismissed him caught-and-bowled.

Attempting to pull a short shot outside off, Abhishek mistimed the shot and sent the top edge high into the air. Springer calmly moved into position and completed the catch, ending the spectacular knock.

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