Abhishek Sharma silences critics by smashing fifty in T20 World Cup final; social media erupts with praise
Abhishek entered the final under intense scrutiny after a disappointing tournament marked by low scores and calls for his replacement. Yet, he delivered when it mattered most.
Indian opener Abhishek Sharma delivered a stunning performance in the T20 World Cup final, blasting a rapid fifty off just 18 balls against New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy. The explosive knock has sent social media into a frenzy, with fans and experts hailing it as the perfect response to a tough tournament.
Abhishek entered the final under intense scrutiny after a disappointing tournament marked by low scores and calls for his replacement. Yet, he delivered when it mattered most.
Social media erupts with praises
The knock quickly dominated online conversations. Fans hailed it as one of the most clutch performances in World Cup finals, with posts flooding in.
Impact on India's title chase
Abhishek Sharma's fearless approach showcased his trademark power and timing, especially on short balls. After struggling through group and knockout stages, this innings proved why selectors backed him despite the form dip. With the dugout energized and the crowd roaring, it set the tone for India's record-powerplay total in the history of T20 World Cup final.
Highest Powerplay scores in T20 World Cups
92/0 - IND vs NZ, Ahmedabad, 2026 Final
92/1 - WI vs AFG, Bridgetown, 2024
91/1 - NED vs IRE, Sylhet, 2014
89/3 - ENG vs SA, Mumbai WS, 2016
86/1 - IND vs NAM, Delhi, 2026
Abhishek Sharma's dismissal
Abhishek Sharma was dismissed by Rachin Ravindra in the 8th over when India had posted a score of 98 runs. Abhishek departed for 52 runs off 21 balls after smashing 6 fours and 3 sixes.
Earlier in the India vs New Zealand match
New Zealand won the toss and opted to field.
India vs New Zealand: T20 World Cup playing XIs
India Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand Playing XI: Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner(c), Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy
About the Author
Aachal Maniyar is a Senior Content Producer at LiveMint, where she covers US sports with a focus on major leagues, marquee events, and athlete-driven stories, while also reporting extensively on cricket and global sports. With over five years of first-hand journalism experience, she combines sharp editorial judgment with real-time sports storytelling across platforms. <br><br> Her reporting journey spans leading newsrooms including Thomson Reuters, India TV, BTVI, ET NOW, and CNBC TV18, where she has worked across breaking news, live match coverage, feature writing, interviews, video scripting, and anchoring. This multi-platform exposure has shaped her ability to deliver context-rich sports and business journalism tailored for both television and digital audiences. <br><br> Aachal has conducted and produced exclusive interviews with athletes and public figures such as India cricketer Dhruv Jurel, Indian women’s hockey captain Savita Punia, and industrialist Ratan Tata, along with several emerging and established sports personalities. Her body of work includes in-depth explainers, athlete profiles, emotionally resonant fan narratives, and data-backed match analysis across cricket, Olympic sports, and international competitions. <br><br> She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, and believes in reporting that is grounded in accuracy, clarity, and credibility. Her philosophy is simple: sports journalism should go beyond scores and statistics, capturing the human stories, pressure moments, and decisions that shape the game and the people who play it.
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