Cricket

Abhishek Sharma's Explosive Cameo Powers India to a Big Total in JohannesburgAfter a slow start to the series, India's opening batter Abhishek Sharma has found his rhythm in the final two matches, tormenting South African bowlers with his aggressive batting. In the fourth and final T20I in Johannesburg on Friday, Sharma continued his impressive form, scoring a blistering 36 off just 18 balls to set the tone for a big total.Sharma's innings was a display of power and precision, as he smashed four sixes and two fours. The highlight of his knock came in the fifth over when he launched Proteas pacer Andile Simelane for a massive six out of the ground. Charging down the track, Sharma created room and smoked the ball over extra cover, sending it soaring onto the roof before it bounced out of the ground.Sharma's resurgence in the series is a welcome sign for India, who have been looking for consistency from their openers. In the third T20I in Centurion, Sharma found his mojo back with a blistering fifty off just 25 balls, which included five sixes and three fours.In the first two matches of the series, Sharma struggled to make an impact, scoring only 7 runs in the first T20I and 4 runs in the second. However, his dismissals in both innings were strikingly similar, as he was caught behind the wicket while attempting to play aggressive shots.Sharma's recent performances suggest that he has overcome his early struggles and is now ready to play a significant role in India's batting lineup. His ability to score quickly and aggressively makes him a valuable asset to the team, especially in the T20 format.

India's T20I dominance over South Africa continued as they clinched an unassailable 2-1 series lead with an 11-run victory in the third match at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.Tilak Varma's scintillating unbeaten 107 and Abhishek Sharma's brisk 50 propelled India to a formidable 219/6 after being invited to bat first. Varma's knock was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring seven sixes and eight fours off just 57 deliveries. Sharma, who had endured a lean patch, played a vital role with a 25-ball 50, including five sixes and three fours.South Africa's chase got off to a solid start, with Aiden Markram (29), Reeza Hendricks (21), and Ryan Rickelton (20) contributing at the top of the order. However, it was Marco Jansen's late blitz that kept the Proteas in contention. The left-hander smashed 54 off just 17 balls, but his dismissal in the final over extinguished South Africa's hopes of a remarkable comeback.Heinrich Klaasen (41 off 22) also played a significant role for South Africa, but their efforts ultimately fell short. Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming 3/37, while Varun Chakravarthy chipped in with two wickets.Varma's century was a testament to his exceptional talent and composure. The 22-year-old controlled the game with his wide-ranging strokes, ensuring India capitalized on their strong start. His partnership with Sharma for the second wicket laid the foundation for India's imposing total.Despite the early loss of Sanju Samson (0), India's batting lineup showed resilience and depth. Suryakumar Yadav (1), Hardik Pandya (18), and Rinku Singh (8) failed to make significant contributions, but Varma's brilliance overshadowed their struggles.South Africa's bowlers, led by Keshav Maharaj (2/36), managed to slow down the scoring rate during the middle overs. However, Varma's late assault, where he scored 52 runs off just 22 balls, proved decisive.With the series victory secured, India will look to complete a clean sweep in the fourth and final T20I at the Wanderers on Friday. South Africa, on the other hand, will be determined to salvage some pride and avoid a series whitewash.

The third T20I between India and South Africa in Centurion witnessed an extraordinary interruption due to a swarm of insects. After India posted a formidable target of 220, the match was halted when Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks scored seven runs in an over. The delay lasted over 30 minutes as groundsmen frantically attempted to clear the field of the insects, which commentators identified as "flying ants."The bizarre incident sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with users expressing amusement and disbelief. The match resumed after the insects were cleared, but the delay had a significant impact on the game's momentum.Earlier, Tilak Varma had propelled India to a massive total with a scintillating unbeaten century. Promoted to number three, Varma unleashed a barrage of boundaries, smashing eight fours and seven sixes in his 107-run knock. His maiden T20I century made him the second-youngest Indian batter to achieve the feat.Abhishek Sharma provided valuable support to Varma, contributing a 25-ball fifty. The duo shared a 107-run partnership for the second wicket, targeting the short square boundaries during the Powerplay.South Africa's bowlers struggled to contain the Indian onslaught, with Andile Simelane and Keshav Maharaj claiming two wickets each. However, the insect invasion proved to be the most unexpected and memorable moment of the match.

Abhishek Sharma, once hailed as a rising star in Indian cricket, now faces intense scrutiny due to his recent batting struggles. After a promising start to his T20I career marked by a sensational century, his form has plummeted, raising questions about his future in the squad.Abhishek's international T20 debut was far from ideal, with a first-ball duck against Zimbabwe. However, he quickly redeemed himself with a blistering 46-ball century, showcasing his explosive potential. Since then, however, his form has been inconsistent.In the ongoing four-match T20I series against South Africa, Abhishek has been given multiple opportunities to open alongside Sanju Samson. However, his performances have been disappointing, with scores of 7 and 4 in the first two matches. Both dismissals came via bouncers, exposing his tendency to play hurried shots.Despite the mounting pressure, Abhishek's father and coach, Raj Kumar Sharma, remains optimistic. He believes his son is not out of form but needs one strong innings to regain his confidence. He also highlights Abhishek's ability to bounce back from setbacks, citing his century after a duck on his debut.With tough competition in the Indian squad, Abhishek's place in the team could be at stake if he doesn't find form soon. The third T20I might be his last chance to prove his worth and secure his spot.

Amidst Abhishek Sharma's inconsistent start to his T20I career, former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Robin Uthappa has advocated for the team management to grant the young opener a free role. Despite scoring a century in just his second T20I match, Abhishek's recent performances have raised concerns. In nine T20I innings, he has managed only 166 runs at an underwhelming average of 20.75.Uthappa believes that the team should emulate the approach taken with Virender Sehwag in the early 2000s, where he was given the freedom to express himself. "I won't look for too much consistency with someone like him. I would like to leave him as free as possible, like a Virender Sehwag perhaps in the early 2000s, where people were like 'just go and enjoy yourself'," Uthappa told Jio Cinema.Uthappa emphasized that he is not overly concerned about Abhishek's consistency, as the team has assigned him a specific role of attacking the bowlers from the outset. "Because if it comes, it's a match-winning hundred or 80, if he gets a quick start, he is still serving the purpose towards the team. So the role is defined. I wouldn't worry too much about consistency when it comes to Abhishek," he added.Abhishek's breakthrough season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year caught the attention of the selectors. He scored 484 runs in 16 matches at an average of 32.26, helping SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) reach the final.Meanwhile, Sanju Samson's second consecutive T20I century powered India to a 61-run victory in the first of four matches against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday. Opening batter Samson struck 10 sixes and seven fours in a spectacular innings of 107 off 50 balls, contributing to India's total of 202-8.Leg-spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi combined to take six wickets as South Africa crumbled to 141 all out.

India's opening batsman Abhishek Sharma has faced criticism for his recent performance in the first T20I against South Africa in Durban. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has expressed concerns over Sharma's aggressive approach, which he believes may be hindering his performance at the international level.Sharma managed only seven runs off eight balls as India set a 203-run target for South Africa. India eventually won the game comfortably, bowling South Africa out for 141 to register a 61-run victory and take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.However, Chopra noted the stark contrast between Sharma's performance and that of his opening partner Sanju Samson, who scored a blistering 107 off 50 balls."It's a tale of two openers," Chopra said in a video posted on his YouTube channel. "There is Sanju (Samson), whose stars are shining bright, on one side. On the other side is Abhishek Sharma, whose stars have fallen."Sharma burst onto the scene with a sensational 100 off 47 balls in only his second T20I against Zimbabwe. However, his form has dipped since, with his highest score in seven other T20I innings being just 16.Chopra criticized Sharma's shot selection that led to his dismissal against Gerald Coetzee. "The shot he played in this match as well against Gerald Coetzee, it seems like he is a prisoner of his own reputation, that he would play like this only and is not going to wait."Chopra warned that continued underperformance could put Sharma's spot in the team at risk. "It's been one more failure. A time will come when it will be a problem. Questions will be asked about how long you will stick with him. Again, he will get three more games, but one by one the sand is being seen slipping from his hand," Chopra remarked.With three more games in the series, the pressure will be on the 24-year-old to deliver and justify his selection in the squad.

Yuvraj Singh's Iconic Shots Recreated by Impersonator, Inspiring Young Indian BatterFormer Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has shared a viral video showcasing an impressive impersonation of his signature batting style. The fan flawlessly recreated Yuvraj's iconic pull shots and powerful sixes, earning widespread admiration online.Yuvraj, renowned for his elegant and powerful batting, was particularly known for his memorable six sixes in an over against England's Stuart Broad during the 2007 T20 World Cup. The fan's impersonation captured the essence of Yuvraj's legendary moment, sparking nostalgia and reminding cricket lovers of his remarkable achievements.The video has resonated with fans, celebrating the enduring impact of Yuvraj's legacy. His fans appreciated the gesture, highlighting the inspiration he continues to provide to aspiring cricketers.Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video featuring young Indian batter Abhishek Sharma, who reflected on his arrival at Kingsmead, Durban. This venue holds special significance as it's where the first T20I against South Africa will be played and also where Yuvraj Singh's six sixes took place.Abhishek expressed his excitement about playing at the historic ground where one of Indian cricket's most iconic moments took place. He highlighted the deep influence Yuvraj's achievement has had on his own cricketing journey."I have come here for the first time, but when I saw it (the ground) on TV and now that I am here, it's like a dream come true. I was inspired by Yuvraj Singh's six sixes in 2007. The first day when I came here I was trying to figure out from what end to which end he had hit the sixes. He had sixes all over the ground, it's a great memory," said Abhishek.Yuvraj Singh's iconic batting style and memorable achievements continue to inspire young cricketers, showcasing the enduring legacy of one of India's most celebrated cricketers.

Former Indian cricket legend Yuvraj Singh has played a pivotal role in the development of young all-rounder Abhishek Sharma, who is now set to make his mark on the international stage.Sharma, who hails from Punjab, has been mentored by a galaxy of cricketing greats, including Yuvraj, Brian Lara, and Rahul Dravid. His father, Raj Kumar Sharma, is also a respected cricket coach.Yuvraj, who is Sharma's boyhood hero, spotted his potential during the COVID-19 pandemic and provided him with valuable guidance. The former left-handed batsman heaped praise on Sharma after he scored a century in Zimbabwe in July 2022.Sharma's impressive performances in domestic tournaments and the Indian Premier League (IPL) earned him a call-up to the Indian team for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa.Ahead of the series, Sharma expressed his excitement about playing at Kingsmead, Durban, where Yuvraj had famously smashed six sixes off England's Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup."I have come here for the first time, but when I saw it (the ground) on TV and now that I am here, it's like a dream come true," Sharma said in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)."I was inspired by Yuvraj Singh's six sixes in 2007. The first day when I came here I was trying to figure out from what end to which end he had hit the sixes. He had sixes all over the ground, it's a great memory."Sharma recalled watching the historic moment with his family and celebrating India's victory with his entire neighborhood. He expressed his gratitude to Yuvraj for inspiring him and vowed to make him proud.The South Africa tour was not originally part of India's schedule but was arranged following discussions between the BCCI and Cricket South Africa (CSA). The T20I series will be played across four venues: Durban, Gqeberha, Centurion, and Johannesburg, with matches scheduled for November 8, 10, 13, and 15.

SRH's Retention Conundrum: Moody's Picks for IPL 2025Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, former Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) coach Tom Moody has identified four key players he believes the franchise should retain: captain Pat Cummins, openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, and wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen.Moody, who guided SRH to the 2024 IPL final, emphasized the importance of retaining the team's core players. Head, Abhishek, and Klaasen were instrumental in SRH's success last season, finishing as the top three run-getters.Head, the Australian batter, amassed 567 runs, including a century and four fifties. Abhishek, the Indian opener, contributed 484 runs with three half-centuries. Klaasen, the South African wicketkeeper, accumulated 479 runs, including four half-centuries."SRH has a tough job during this retention period," Moody said. "At the top, I'd look to secure captain Pat Cummins, followed by Travis Head and then Abhishek Sharma."Moody also suggested considering all-rounders Nitish Reddy and Abdul Samad for retention. Reddy was the fourth-highest run-getter for SRH in 2024, while Samad impressed with his power-hitting, scoring 182 runs at a strike rate of 168.51."I'd extend it even further to retain Heinrich Klaasen," Moody added. "Nitish Reddy and Abdul Samad are also worth considering."IPL franchises can retain a maximum of six players, including a maximum of five capped players and two uncapped players. The auction purse for IPL 2025 has been set at Rs 120 crore. The deadline for franchises to finalize their retention list is October 31.