In the series opener, left-handed batter Abhishek Sharma stole the show with a stunning display of power hitting. His unbeaten 79 runs off just 34 balls included eight sixes and five fours, helping India chase down a modest total of 132 with ease. Sharma's incredible hitting was praised by coach Ravi Shastri and his partnership with Sanju Samson proved to be crucial in India's victory. England will have a tough task ahead if they want to level the series in the next match.
Abhishek Sharma: The Rising Star of Indian Cricket
Abhishek Sharma, the left-handed batter from Patiala, Punjab, has emerged as one of the most promising young talents in Indian cricket. His recent performance in the series opener against England has further cemented his position as a player to watch.
Series-Opening Heroics
In the first match of the series, Sharma stole the limelight with an astonishing display of power hitting. He remained unbeaten on 79 runs off just 34 balls, hitting eight sixes and five fours. His whirlwind knock helped India chase down England's total of 132 with ease.
Sharma's performance was particularly impressive considering the pressure he faced. Coming into bat at a time when India was 54-3 in the 10th over, he not only steadied the innings but also accelerated the run rate with his aggressive batting. His partnership with Sanju Samson (55 off 42 balls) proved to be crucial in India's victory.
Background and Career
Sharma started his cricket journey at the age of 12, inspired by his elder brother, Amit Sharma, a former member of the Punjab cricket team. He rose through the ranks of age-group cricket, representing India at the U-16 and U-19 levels.
Sharma made his domestic debut for Punjab in the 2015-16 season. He caught the attention of the selectors with his consistent performances, and in 2018, he was picked for India's U-19 team for the World Cup. Although India lost the tournament, Sharma impressed with his batting skills.
Sharma's breakthrough came in 2021 when he was selected for the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He showcased his talent, scoring 397 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 135.20. His impressive IPL stint earned him a call-up to the Indian team for the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka in 2022.
Top 5 FAQs
What are Abhishek Sharma's strengths as a batter? Answer: Sharma is known for his power hitting, clean striking, and ability to clear the boundary with ease.
What is Sharma's highest score in international cricket? Answer: 79* against England in the first match of the 2022 T20I series.
Which IPL franchise does Sharma currently play for? Answer: Sunrisers Hyderabad
Has Sharma represented India in any major tournaments? Answer: Yes, Sharma was part of India's U-19 team for the World Cup in 2018.
What are Sharma's ambitions for the future? Answer: Sharma has expressed his desire to become a regular member of the Indian team in all formats and represent India in major tournaments like the World Cup.
With stand-in captain Steve Smith and opener Usman Khawaja leading the charge, Australia piled on the runs in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Khawaja scored his maiden Test double-century and Smith continued to add to his tally after joining the 10,000 runs club. The two broke multiple records, including the highest partnership by an Australian pair in Sri Lanka and the second-highest partnership in Test cricket history for Australia. Now, with a strong lead and debutant Josh Inglis adding to the total, Australia looks poised to declare and put Sri Lanka on the back foot.
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Australia's Usman Khawaja put up an impressive performance in his first test debut against Sri Lanka on Thursday, scoring a marathon 232 runs and forming century-plus partnerships with Steve Smith and Josh Inglis to lead his team to a colossal total of 654/6 before declaring their first innings. This marks Australia's highest test total in Asia and is sure to catch the attention of cricket fans worldwide. Don't miss out on this historic match and be sure to subscribe to catch all the action.
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Australia's Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja continue their strong partnership, leading the team to a commanding first-innings score on Day 2 of the opening Test against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's bowlers will need to utilize their spinners effectively in order to take wickets and mount a comeback against the dominant Australian batsmen. The playing XIs for both teams have been announced, with some notable players taking the field for the first time in the series. As the game reaches the 150 over mark, Starc knocks a single to long on, further adding to Australia's total.