Abhishek took the Kiwi bowling attack to the cleaners in the T20I series opener.
India skipper Suryakumar Yadav praised his team's batting resilience, recovering from 25/2 in the powerplay to rack up a massive 238/7 on the board during the first T20I against New Zealand in Nagpur on Wednesday (January 18).
Opener Abhishek Sharma stole the show with the bat, smashing 84 off 35 balls with 5 fours and 8 sixes. With this knock, the southpaw also shattered the record of West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell to become the fastest player to reach the 5000-run landmark in T20 cricket in terms of balls.
Defending the total, the Indian bowlers restricted the Kiwis to 190/7, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.
“I think it’s always good when we get those numbers on the board, and if there’s a little bit of dew on the board, I think that’s a big positive. And the way we batted, even after we were put under pressure in the powerplay, we were 25-2, and then we took the game till the 15th over, and then we never stopped all the batters. I mean, it looks good (to have eight batters). It’s been working for me as a team, and so if it’s working, let’s continue with that,” Suryakumar quoted as saying in the post-match presentation.
Reflecting on his own knock of 32 in 22 balls, the captain said, “I mean, I felt good when I went into bat. It was the perfect time for me to go into bat. Good pressure situation. I’ve been batting in that situation. As I said earlier as well, I’ve been batting really well in the nets. It was just a matter of time when you play a few balls, bat the way I bat and that doesn’t change my identity. I think it came naturally. I mean, whatever strokes I played, I’ve been practicing really well in the last 2-3 weeks. I’m at it similarly during the net session. Played a few practice games as well. So I was feeling good.”
Suryakumar was effusive in praise of Abhishek's preparations, saying the swashbuckling left-hander was reaping the rewards of consistent work away from the spotlight.
“I mean, the way he prepares, I mean, it’s not just how he bats in the games, but the way he prepares himself, the way he carries himself, when he’s in the hotel, in the team bus. I think all those small, small things, it reflects on the ground and he is enjoying those fruits of that,” he remarked.
While India's fielding unit committed a few lapses, Suryakumar Yadav stood firmly by his players.
“With such heavy dew, a few lines here and there, I mean, I’m just supporting my fielders. But I mean, we keep improving in that one department. We try and improve always when we take on the field. So very happy with the effort from the boys,” he concluded.
The second India versus New Zealand T20I will be played in Raipur on Friday (January 23).