India has taken the T20I series against England decisively, with their latest victory by 150 runs marking the fifth and final match of the series at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Abhishek Sharma's remarkable innings was the highlight of the match, as he scored 135 runs off just 54 balls, propelling India to a formidable score of 247 runs for 9 wickets. This innings not only secured him the accolades but also helped set the stage for India’s dominating win.
Sharma showcased his batting prowess with 13 sixes and 7 boundaries, achieving the second-fastest T20I century by any Indian, reaching the milestone in just 37 balls. His aggressive batting dismantled the English bowling attack, which struggled to contain the flow of runs throughout the innings.
Following India's strong performance with the bat, their bowlers continued to enforce the dominance by sending England back to the pavilion for just 97 runs within 10.3 overs. Mohammed Shami was impressive with the ball, securing 3 wickets for just 25 runs, supported by Varun Chakravarthy who took 2 wickets for 25 runs and Shivam Dube who claimed 2 wickets for only 11 runs.
England's chase began on a shaky note, with captain Jos Buttler finding it difficult to anchor the innings. They lost their first wicket quickly and struggled to build any substantial partnerships as wickets kept tumbling. Abhishek Sharma even contributed with the ball, taking 2 wickets for merely 3 runs, adding to England's woes.
The match turned out to be less about the chase and more about India's outstanding performance, making it evident why they are one of the strongest teams currently in T20 cricket.
After already clinching the series earlier, this match served as the perfect finish for India, who not only showcased their batting depth but also displayed formidable bowling capabilities.
Sharma's batting performance caught the attention of many, as he broke records and set new benchmarks for future Indian cricketers. This year seems promising for him as he appears to have secured his spot among the key players for India moving forward.
Despite their earlier successes, England failed to keep the momentum going, with their bowlers unable to contain Sharma and his partners effectively. This loss poses questions for the English side as they head toward future engagements, where they will need to rethink their strategies if they aim to match up to India's explosive batting unit.
Reflecting on the series, Suryakumar Yadav's leadership played its part, but there remain concerns about key players like Sanju Samson and Suryakumar’s own form, which could be pivotal as they establish their line-up for upcoming competitions.
With the win, India not only shows their strength but also sends a message to their competitors—with T20 cricket becoming more unpredictable, teams will have to bring their A-game to tackle such formidable opponents. Fans will certainly have their eyes set on how both teams adjust and perform as they navigate through the competitive cricketing fixtures coming up this season.