Abhishek Sharma (Image: ANI)

India opener Abhishek Sharma etched his name into the record books during the first T20I against England, becoming the fastest batter to hit 100 sixes in T20 Internationals among Full Member nations. After India opted to bat first at Chester-le-Street, the visitors were rocked by the early dismissals of Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. With India under pressure, Abhishek launched a stunning counterattack, taking on England’s bowlers from the outset to steady the innings and scored a brilliant half century of just 20 balls. Abhishek Sharma reached the milestone of 100 sixes after smashing two towering sixes in the third and fourth overs, completing 100 T20I sixes in just 785 deliveries, surpassing West Indies opener Evin Lewis, who previously held the record with 789 balls.Fewest Balls to Reach 100 T20I Sixes (Full Member Nations)

The milestone also saw Abhishek become only the fifth Indian batter to smash 100 sixes in T20 Internationals, joining an elite list comprising Rohit Sharma (205), Suryakumar Yadav (179), Hardik Pandya (126) and Virat Kohli (124).

Abhishek Sharma falls after blazing fifty

England finally ended Abhishek Sharma’s explosive knock as Sam Curran trapped the left-hander LBW for 59 off 24 balls. Initially appearing to be drifting down the leg side, England reviewed the on-field decision, and ball-tracking confirmed the delivery was crashing into leg stump.

India vs England, 1st T20I – Playing XIs

England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood.India: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy.