MUMBAI, India — Abhishek Sharma delivered a remarkable performance, leading India to a resounding 150-run victory over England in the fifth Twenty20 match on Sunday. He struck an impressive 13 sixes and achieved a stunning century off just 37 balls, contributing significantly to India’s total of 247-9 in their 20 overs after being put in to bat at Wankhede Stadium. This innings established a new record for the highest individual score in T20 matches for India, surpassing Shubman Gill’s previous mark of 126 not out against New Zealand earlier in 2023.
In response, England crumbled under the pressure, ending their innings at a mere 97 runs after just 10.3 overs, thereby allowing India to secure the series 4-1. Sharma’s aggressive batting illuminated the Mumbai skyline, where he hit 135 runs from 54 balls, including seven fours, before England was dismissed with 57 balls remaining in the match. His 13 sixes not only set a new record for the most sixes by an Indian player in a T20 game but also broke the former record of 10, which was jointly held by Rohit Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma.
India’s bowling attack showcased strength, with Varun Chakravarthy taking 2 wickets for 25 runs and Shivam Dube achieving figures of 2-11. Sharma himself contributed with the ball as well, claiming 2 wickets for just 3 runs in his only over. He started his innings explosively, reaching fifty runs in just 17 balls, which is the second-fastest half-century scored by an Indian in T20s. India had amassed a score of 95-1 during the powerplay, benefiting from Sharma’s aggressive batting.
In a standout partnership, Sharma and Varma forged 115 runs from just 43 balls for the second wicket. Despite a brief wobble in the middle overs where India lost five wickets within 41 deliveries, Sharma’s batting prowess ensured a strong total, as he achieved his second T20 century in 37 balls, making it the second-fastest century for an Indian player in men’s T20, only trailing Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball feat against Sri Lanka in 2017.
With a remarkable strike rate of 250, India recorded its fourth-highest innings total in Twenty20 cricket. This score also ranks as the second-highest against England, whose batting line-up struggled to build partnerships, despite Phil Salt’s valiant 55 runs coming off 23 balls.
As the English innings unfolded, Mohammed Shami quickly dismissed Ben Duckett for a golden duck, with the spinners tightening their grip thereafter. Jos Buttler was caught off Chakravarthy for just seven runs, and Harry Brook fell to Ravi Bishnoi, being caught after scoring two runs, marking a disappointing outing for the visitors.
Salt’s fifty featured seven fours and three sixes before he was caught off Dube’s first delivery. Dube also bowled Jacob Bethell for 10, the only other English player to reach double digits in this match. Sharma then stepped up to the bowling crease, taking two wickets in five deliveries, capping off a memorable evening for the 24-year-old cricketer.
The match resulted in England suffering their lowest total in T20 history and marked their largest defeat by runs in the format. This match also signifies India’s second-largest winning margin by runs, following their 168-run victory over New Zealand in 2023.
India initially claimed victories in the first two T20 matches held in Kolkata and Chennai by margins of seven and two wickets, respectively. England responded with a win in Rajkot by 26 runs, but India sealed the series in Pune with a narrow 15-run victory.
Both teams made changes for Sunday’s encounter, with Mark Wood returning for England and Mohammed Shami replacing Arshdeep Singh. Looking ahead, a three-match ODI series is set to begin on Thursday in Nagpur, serving as preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
