India opener Abhishek Sharma created a new T20I record by hitting a six off the first delivery he faced in the opening match against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Thursday, October 22. The left-handed batter continued his aggressive approach, giving India a flying start in their challenging chase of 226 runs.
Abhishek faced his first delivery on the final ball of the opening over, bowled by Matt Henry. The New Zealand pacer delivered a fuller ball outside off stump, but Abhishek responded with a lofted drive that sailed over the covers for a maximum.
With this shot, Abhishek registered his seventh six off the first ball he faced in a T20I innings, setting a new record for the most such instances by any batter in the format.
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India’s opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson wasted little time putting pressure on New Zealand’s bowling attack. The duo added 20 runs in the first two overs before Samson launched an assault on Lockie Ferguson in the third over, striking two fours and a six to collect 22 runs.
Abhishek continued the momentum against Adam Milne in the following over, smashing two boundaries and two sixes. India raced to 68 without losing a wicket after just four overs, with Samson scoring 28 off 15 deliveries and Abhishek contributing an explosive 27 off nine balls at the time of writing.
A shot of pure brilliance to kick things off in signature Abhishek Sharma style! 🤌
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Earlier, New Zealand posted an imposing total of 225/4 after being asked to bat first. Openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen provided an aggressive start, adding 49 runs off 30 deliveries. Seifert scored 24 off 17 balls, while Allen smashed 45 off 24 deliveries.
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Daryl Mitchell contributed 28 off 19 balls before Glenn Phillips took charge of the innings. The middle-order batter brought up his half-century in just 27 balls and remained unbeaten on 82 off 40 deliveries, hitting eight fours and three sixes.
Bevon Jacobs also played a valuable cameo, scoring 31 off 16 balls as New Zealand finished with 225/4 in their allotted 20 overs, setting India a demanding target in the series opener.
