3rd T20I: Abhishek Sharma’s Explosive 69 Powers India To 223 Against West Indies

Abhishek Sharma blasted 69 from just 30 deliveries, but India suffered a late batting collapse to finish at 223 all out against West Indies in the third T20I at Holkar Stadium on Sunday.

Playing before a crowd of more than 24,000, Abhishek struck six fours and five sixes to lead India’s aggressive approach.

His 108-run partnership with Ishan Kishan put the hosts on course for a total approaching 250 before the visitors fought back with regular breakthroughs.

India struggled initially after opting to bat, scoring only 11 runs in the opening two overs. Shamar Joseph dismissed Sanju Samson for three, leaving the hosts searching for momentum.

Abhishek changed the pace of the innings by attacking Roston Chase and exploiting the gaps around the covers. Kishan joined the assault, and the pair punished the West Indies bowlers with a succession of boundaries.

Abhishek reached his 14th T20I half-century in just 18 balls. During the innings, he also became the fastest batter to reach 2,000 T20I runs in terms of balls faced, taking 1,024 deliveries.

West Indies Fight Back with Regular Wickets

Chase ended Kishan’s innings at 37 by having him stumped by captain Shai Hope. The spinner then trapped India skipper Shreyas Iyer lbw for one.

Abhishek departed for 69 after top-edging a pull to Shamar Springer, who completed the return catch. Gudakesh Motie later claimed his 50th T20I wicket when Naman Dhir holed out to long-off.

Tilak Varma made 28, while Nitish Kumar Reddy contributed 21 before Keemo Paul dismissed the latter caught behind.

India lost further momentum through two costly run-outs. Varma fell short while attempting a second run after Axar Patel’s shot appeared to have reached the boundary.

Axar later departed for 20 after a delayed response to a possible single left Arshdeep Singh stranded.

Brief Scores: India 223 all out in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 69, Ishan Kishan 37; Roston Chase 2/38, Shamar Springer 2/50).

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