Did Abhishek Sharma Shine Again with 75 Runs for India?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Abhishek Sharma's explosive innings of 75 runs set the tone for India's innings.
- India's strong start was pivotal in reaching a competitive score.
- Bangladesh's comeback after the Powerplay showcased their fighting spirit.
- Rishad Hossain's performance as a bowler was crucial for Bangladesh.
- India's middle order struggled to capitalize on the strong start, highlighting areas for improvement.
Dubai, Sep 24 (NationPress) Abhishek Sharma delivered a spectacular performance, scoring 75 runs off just 37 balls to propel India to a total of 168/6 in their match against Bangladesh during the Asia Cup Super Fours at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
The left-handed batsman's explosive innings not only provided a rapid start for India but also enabled him to surpass his mentor Yuvraj Singh for the record of the most T20I innings by an Indian with five or more sixes.
Abhishek has now achieved this feat in six innings, trailing behind Rohit Sharma (13) and Suryakumar Yadav (9). Additionally, he set a new Asia Cup milestone with 17 sixes in the 2025 edition, marking the highest in a single tournament across all formats.
After being put in to bat first by Bangladesh's stand-in captain Jaker Ali, who won the toss, India started aggressively in the Powerplay. Shubman Gill began well before Abhishek accelerated, punishing any loose deliveries. He benefited from a dropped catch by Jaker Ali, who was filling in for the injured Litton Das. The Indian openers raced to 72/0 in just six overs, taking firm control of the match.
However, Bangladesh made a commendable comeback post-Powerplay. Shubman Gill was dismissed for 29 runs off 19 balls right after the fielding restrictions ended, with Rishad Hossain claiming the breakthrough.
In a surprising move, India sent Shivam Dube to bat at number three to tackle the spinners, but the strategy backfired as he scored only 2 runs. Suryakumar Yadav then joined Abhishek, and the duo added a brisk 29 runs off 13 balls before a pivotal moment occurred. Rishad Hossain executed a brilliant run-out to dismiss Abhishek for his impressive 75, halting India’s momentum.
The innings lost its rhythm after that. Suryakumar Yadav struggled to find his timing, scoring only 5 off 11, while Tilak Varma managed just 5 runs. Hardik Pandya steadied the innings with a composed 38, ensuring India surpassed 165, but Axar Patel struggled, ending unbeaten on 10 off 15.
Despite their explosive start, India settled for 168/6 after 20 overs, with only 70 runs coming in the last ten overs. Rishad Hossain was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, taking 2 wickets for 27 runs and contributing a crucial run-out.
Brief Scores:
India 168/6 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 75, Hardik Pandya 38; Rishad Hossain 2-27, Tanzim Hasan Sakib 1-29) against Bangladesh