India script history at Mumbai riding high on Abhishek Sharma’s masterclass

India pumped out an absolute masterclass to lead the charge against England, pocketing the biggest win of the series while making it five in a row in the shortest format of the game since their triumph in the T20 World Cup. Winning the toss, England opted to bowl first and had a bit of early laugh too after Sanju Samson (16) fell while trying to keep up with an exorbitant tempo.

However, the fall of Samson did very little to deter the spirits of the hosts as Abhishek Sharma’s sensational knock saw the Men in Blue roaring back to life. Sharma called the shots from one end, dominating the bowlers while Tilak Varma was happy to drop anchor at the other.

Varma (24) allowed Sharma to express himself at the other end before Brydon Carse could get rid of the former. It wasn’t one of the greatest days in the office for the Indian skipper as Carse removed him for a paltry two. Shivam Dube, who was cleared to play earlier after suffering a concussion in the last game, did an exceptional job of motoring alongside an inexorable Sharma.

Dube blasted 30 off just 13 balls, rocking three fours and two sixes. Despite the fall of Dube triggering a landslide at the other end, Abhishek Sharma’s rippling 135 off just 54 balls, set Mumbai alight. Sharma’s whirlwind knock saw India pile up a staggering 247/9 while Brydon Carse emerged as the only bowler for England to have shown restraint.

Hoping to get a strong start, England were jolted to a rude awakening. Despite Phil Salt (55) hammering away at will, the rest of the English batters were simply blown into the wind by the formidable supremacy of the Indian bowlers. Mohammed Shami returned to form to headline the Indian bowling battery and his exceptional discipline forced the visitors in a docile resignation.

It all started with the scalp of Ben Duckett who returned for a golden duck while the English captain could only garner seven runs before Varun Chakravarthy could remove him. Phil Salt continued his assault from one end, hoping desperately that he would get some support from the other. Unfortunately, England failed to rack up any resistance whatsoever and were skittled out for 97.

Mohammed Shami registered figures 3/25 while he had support from the trio of Varun Chakravarthy, Shivam Dube and Abhishek Sharma who claimed six wickets between them. Abhishek Sharma was the Player of the Match for his rippling century and a brace with the ball in his hands while Varun Chakravarthy registered 14 wickets to walk away with the Player of the Series award.