India decisively powered through the fifth T20I against England at the Wankhede Stadium, winning by 150 runs and securing the series with an impressive 4-1 record. The match featured standout performances, particularly from young opener Abhishek Sharma, who provided fireworks with the bat and took wickets, delivering one of the most memorable performances seen on this stage.
England won the toss and opted to bowl first, hoping to capitalize on any early movement with the ball. This decision, unfortunately for them, backfired spectacularly as Abhishek Sharma took center stage. From the outset, the 22-year-old unleashed ferocious hitting, scoring 135 runs off just 54 balls, including seven fours and 13 sixes. His innings was not only the highest score by an Indian in T20 internationals but also the second-fastest century by any Indian, achieved off just 37 balls.
Sharma set the tone for the innings, hitting aggressive boundaries and rotating the strike effectively. Partnering with Tilak Varma, he formed a remarkable partnership of 115 runs off only 43 balls for the second wicket, quickly bringing up India's total to 247 runs.
"The wicket was amazing for batting, and I tried to play my shots and went hard against their bowlers," Sharma said after the match, reflecting on his explosive performance. His century came at the end of the 10th over, with India already well positioned to set a formidable target for the visitors.
The Indian batting display was not without contributions from others. Shivam Dube also made notable efforts down the order, scoring 30 runs off 13 balls before being dismissed, contributing to the mammoth total.
When it came time for England to chase the huge target, they met with swift disaster. The Indian bowlers, led by Mohammed Shami with three wickets for just 25 runs, dismantled England's batting lineup. Varun Chakravarthy and Shivam Dube also shone, each taking two wickets, as the tourists were reduced to 97 all out within just 10.3 overs, marking one of their heaviest defeats by runs in T20 history against any full member side.
Phil Salt managed to hold the fort for England, scoring 55 runs but received little help from his compatriots. The other top and middle-order players fell cheaply, contributing to the quick collapse. "They lost too many quick wickets; when chasing such totals, every wicket is detrimental," Jos Buttler, the England captain, lamented after the match.
The remarkable nature of Sharma's performance and the Indian bowling attack’s discipline marked this as not just another victory, but one for the record books. "Today was all about Abhishek Sharma. He stepped up, and we all followed his lead," Shami remarked following the match.
With this match concluded, India completed their T20 series against England with a resounding victory. Abhishek's dominant display, combined with the bowling prowess exhibited by Shami and the spin attack, set up their win, showcasing the depth of talent within the young Indian team under coach Gautam Gambhir.
This series win repeats their success against England from the prior year when India also triumphed 4-1 during the Test matches.
Overall, this match and series served as the perfect finale to India's T20 campaign, leaving fans eager for the future as they look to build on this success heading toward upcoming international fixtures.