Abhishek Sharma Makes History with Bowling Feat in ODI Against Zimbabwe

Historic Victory for India in Second ODI

In a remarkable display, Abhishek Sharma achieved a historic milestone during India's triumph over Zimbabwe in the second ODI on July 25 at Harare Sports Club. The Indian team secured a commanding 90-run victory, clinching the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead. This victory marked India's first series win under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, following previous setbacks against Ireland and England. Although Abhishek struggled with the bat, scoring only eight runs off eight balls while opening the innings alongside Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, he excelled with the ball. The left-arm spinner bowled 2.5 overs, taking three wickets for just 17 runs as Zimbabwe was bowled out for 129 in 17.2 overs, dismissing Brad Evants, Neyman Nyamhuri, and Richard Ngarva.

Abhishek Sharma's Unprecedented Achievement

Abhishek Sharma Creates History

Abhishek Sharma has made history as the first Indian opening batsman to achieve a three-wicket haul in a T20I match. He surpassed his own record for the best bowling figures by an Indian opener in the T20 format. Notably, he has taken a wicket in five matches while opening the batting, a feat unmatched by any other Indian player. Only Irfan Pathan and Sachin Tendulkar have managed to take a wicket while opening in a T20I. There have been just three instances of an opener claiming two or more wickets in a T20I for India.

Indian Openers with Multiple Wickets in T20I

Prior to Abhishek, the last Indian opener to achieve a three-wicket haul in any format was Virender Sehwag in 2012 during a tri-series match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The records for the best bowling figures by an Indian opener in Test and ODI formats are held by Vinoo Mankad and Ravi Shastri, respectively, with Mankad taking wickets for 52 runs against Pakistan in 1952 and Shastri achieving a five-wicket haul (5/16) against Australia in 1971.