Abhishek Sharma prepared himself “mentally and technically” for months to take on the Australian challenge, and the results showed as the young opener took the Player of the Series award (163 runs in five outings) as India clinched the five-match T20I series 2-1 after the fifth game was abandoned due to rain here on Saturday.
India made a blazing start with openers Abhishek (23 not out off 13 balls) and Shubman Gill (29 not out off 16 balls) going on the offensive.
Opener Abhishek Sharma during his unbeaten 23 in the fifth T20I vs Australia on Saturday. PIC/PTI
But lightning stopped play with India cruising at 52-0 in 4.5 overs. “When I got to know we’re going to Australia for the T20Is, I was very excited.
“Throughout my career, I’ve seen that Australia is very batting-friendly, and I wanted to prepare myself for these kinds of bowlers and conditions,” Abhishek said.
528
No of balls taken by Abhishek Sharma to reach 1000 T20I runs — the fewest ever