“Shubman Gill’s Bat Helps Abhishek Sharma Smash Record 100 vs Zimbabwe in 2nd T20I”

In a thrilling turn of events, Indian opener Abhishek Sharma credited Shubman Gill’s bat for his record-breaking century against Zimbabwe in the 2nd T20I, echoing a similar tale of camaraderie and sportsmanship reminiscent of Rohit Sharma’s maiden T20I half-century against South Africa in 2007. Abhishek, who had a dismal debut game in Zimbabwe, sought the help of his childhood friend and former U19 teammate Shubman, who kindly lent him his bat for the crucial match.

The Indian opener, who had a remarkable run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), was under pressure when India faced off against Zimbabwe. However, with Shubman’s bat in hand, Abhishek unleashed a stellar knock, becoming the first Indian batter to complete an international century by hitting three consecutive sixes. His 46-ball century, which included 72 runs in the last 23 balls at a strike rate of 317.39, sealed India’s 100-run win over Zimbabwe.

Abhishek’s remarkable performance has drawn comparisons with Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking ton against Sri Lanka in 2017, which was completed in just 35 balls. The Indian opener’s feat has also earned him a special mention alongside KL Rahul, who holds the record for the joint third-fastest century for India. Suryakumar Yadav, who scored a century against Sri Lanka in 2023, is placed second on the list.

Abhishek’s post-match press conference revealed the significance of Shubman’s bat in his success. “Today I played with Shubman Gill’s bat. So a special thanks to the bat as well. And this happens, I think, from the under-12 days. Whenever I think like, this is a pressure game or this is, you know, a match where I should perform, I usually take his bat. Even in the IPL also, I usually ask for one bat. And today he gave me his bat. So I think it went really well,” Abhishek said.

The bond between Abhishek and Shubman is not new, as they have a lot in common. Shubman, the Indian skipper, had previously notched up an ODI double century against New Zealand by hitting consecutive sixes. The duo’s friendship and trust in each other’s abilities have clearly paid off, as Abhishek’s record-breaking century has rewritten history books.

India will face Zimbabwe again in the 3rd T20I of the five-match series on Wednesday, with Abhishek and his teammates looking to maintain their winning momentum. Fans can catch the action LIVE on OTTplay.

Historical Context:

• Rohit Sharma’s maiden T20I half-century against South Africa in 2007 is mentioned in the article, which highlights the significance of Abhishek Sharma’s record-breaking century.
• Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking ton against Sri Lanka in 2017, completed in just 35 balls, is also mentioned as a comparison to Abhishek’s feat.
• KL Rahul holds the record for the joint third-fastest century for India, and Suryakumar Yadav is placed second on the list.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Abhishek Sharma credits Shubman Gill’s bat for his record-breaking century against Zimbabwe in the 2nd T20I. • Abhishek had a dismal debut game in Zimbabwe, but with Shubman’s bat, he scored a 46-ball century, including 72 runs in the last 23 balls at a strike rate of 317.39. • Abhishek’s century sealed India’s 100-run win over Zimbabwe, making him the first Indian batter to complete an international century by hitting three consecutive sixes. • Abhishek’s performance has drawn comparisons with Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking ton against Sri Lanka in 2017 and KL Rahul’s record for the joint third-fastest century for India. • Abhishek and Shubman have a long-standing friendship and trust in each other’s abilities, which has paid off in Abhishek’s record-breaking century. • The duo’s bond dates back to their under-12 days, and Abhishek often takes Shubman’s bat for important matches, including in the Indian Premier League (IPL). • India will face Zimbabwe again in the 3rd T20I of the five-match series, with Abhishek and his teammates looking to maintain their winning momentum.