Abhishek Sharma stole the limelight in India's thumping nine-wicket win against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday, September 10, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The southpaw, alongside T20I deputy Shubman Gill, made the run chase look ridiculously easy, as they chased the modest target in just 27 balls, making it India's record chase in Men's T20I history.
Earlier in the game, India's bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav's (4/7) and Shivam Dube's (3-4), destroyed the UAE batting line-up as they ended up scoring only 57 in 13.1 overs - a shambolic performance which the UAE will remember for ages. This low total was a perfect opportunity for Abhishek to showcase his six-hitting skills and seal the deal for India. The first ball he faced went for a six, and UAE bowlers knew what they were up to.
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Gill, who made a comeback into the T20I squad after one year, followed his good mate by scoring an unbeaten breezy 20, including a flick over square leg for six, which left on-air commentator Wasim Akram in complete awe. However, it was Abhishek who made the UAE bowlers gasping for their breaths with his audacious stroke play, including back-foot six over long-off, and an elegant four over extra cover.
While he was eventually dismissed trying to hit a six, the damage was already done. The southpaw also gave a warning to the rest of the teams - He is ready to take on any bowlers from the outset. With this stormy knock, the Punjab opener now joins an elite list of Indian batters to score a six off their first ball of the T20I innings, alongside Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sanju Samson.
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Abhishek Sharma & Shubman Gill show their class, as UAE handed a pounding by India
Notably, it was after a one-year gap that Abhishek & Gill opened for India in a T20I against UAE. However, it did not seem like that as the duo were in complete sync, matching each other shot for shot. While the southpaw's inside-outside six over extra cover was a phenomenal shot, Gill matched his good mate by just flicking a six over square leg, which oozed class. By this stunning assault, Gill and Abhishek have made their intentions clear - to be ultra-aggressive.
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India will be next up against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, September 14, followed by a game against Oman, having made a roaring statement in Dubai.
