India secured a commanding 4-1 series victory over England, annihilating them by 150 runs in the fifth and final T20I at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, handing England their heaviest-ever T20I defeat.
The highlight of the match was a sensational century by opener Abhishek Sharma, whose explosive innings powered India to a mammoth total.
Asked to bat first, the opener’s attack began in the third over, with consecutive sixes off England’s strike bowler, Jofra Archer. From there, his onslaught continued, including a flurry of sixes.
He set the tone early, blasting a 17-ball half-century — the second-fastest by an Indian — and then formed a vital 115-run second-wicket partnership with Tilak Varma (24).
Abhishek smashed an impressive 135 runs from just 54 balls. His innings included seven boundaries and 13 sixes, and he brought up his century in a blistering 37 balls — the second-fastest T20I century by an Indian batter, just two balls shy of Rohit Sharma’s record.
Abhishek also became the Indian record-holder for the most sixes in a T20I innings.
Opener continued his assault with three more sixes in his final six balls before his dismissal. Abhishek’s name rang out from the Wankhede crowd as he walked off after being caught on the cover boundary by Jofra Archer off Adil Rashid.
India’s supporting cast also played a crucial role, with Shivam Dube (30 from 13) and Sanju Samson (16 from 7) both scoring at over 200 strike rates. Tilak Verma contributed 24 from 15 balls as the hosts set an insurmountable target.
Abhishek’s fireworks helped India reach a formidable 247-9.
In reply, England’s chase fell apart under immense pressure. Jos Buttler’s side were skittled for just 97 in 10.3 overs, handing them their heaviest-ever T20I defeat by margin of runs.
Phil Salt was the only England batter to put up resistance, scoring 55 off 23 balls, but no other batter managed to score more than 10 runs.
India’s bowlers put in a commanding performance, with Mohammed Shami leading the way with 3-25. Abhishek, who also bowled a solitary over, claimed 2-3, dismissing both Brydon Carse and Jamie Overton.
Mark Wood was the last batter to fall, caught behind, as England’s pursuit fizzled out.
With this resounding victory, India wrapped up a 4-1 series win, proving their dominance in the shortest format.
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