Abhishek Sharma's remarkable innings of 79 runs off just 34 balls was instrumental in securing India's commanding seven-wicket win against England in the first T20I on Wednesday. His explosive performance featured five boundaries and eight sixes, exemplifying a masterclass in aggressive batting, as he reached his fifty in a mere 20 deliveries.

His audacious style rendered England's bowlers ineffective, as he displayed a diverse range of shots—executing a flick over fine leg reminiscent of Yuvraj Singh, an uppercut six over third man, and concluding the over with a straight drive for four.

In the post-match discussion with Ravi Shastri and Deep Dasgupta, Abhishek acknowledged the contributions of captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir, emphasizing the "freedom" they afforded him to excel.

“I aimed to showcase my skills, and I must highlight the tremendous freedom provided by the captain and coach to us as young players,” Abhishek stated on Star Sports.

“When I first joined the Indian team, my strategy was straightforward: to play as I did in the IPL. However, I had never encountered a team environment like this, where expressing oneself and playing one's shots from the very first ball is encouraged.”

Abhishek praises bowlers

Abhishek commended the bowlers for their exceptional performance in dismissing the English team for a mere 132 runs, while discussing the pitch conditions in Kolkata. 

"The surface had some stickiness and was somewhat double-paced, but our bowlers executed their plans effectively. I initially anticipated a target of 160-170. Sanju and I communicate well as partners, and I find great enjoyment at the other end," remarked the left-handed batsman.

Abhishek's innings were pivotal to India's successful chase, particularly his partnership with Tilak Varma, as the two amassed 84 runs at an impressive strike rate of 200. His remarkable performance, coupled with India's disciplined bowling display, enabled the team to successfully chase down England's modest total of 132 with 43 balls remaining, giving India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

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