India’s campaign in the T20 World Cup Super 8 stage kicked into high gear with a commanding 256/4 against Zimbabwe at MA Chidambaram Stadium. Leading the charge was Abhishek Sharma, whose aggressive 55 off 30 balls – including four sixes and four fours – signaled his return to form after a nightmare run.
The left-handed opener couldn’t hide his elation. ‘This is the moment I’d been craving for so long,’ he told broadcasters mid-innings. At 25, Sharma had battled three ducks in the league phase and sat out the Namibia clash due to a severe stomach infection requiring hospitalization in New Delhi.
His 26-ball fifty against Zimbabwe flipped the narrative, offering a lifeline in India’s quest for semifinal glory. ‘Thrilled to contribute,’ he added. ‘Barely faced 10-12 balls total before this. Just needed pitch time.’
Sharma was effusive about team support. ‘They’ve stood by me everywhere – nets, hotel. Kept saying my good phase is near, recall your past hits, just believe. Never felt sidelined despite low scores.’
Praising the blistering death-over onslaught – dubbed ‘video game-like’ – Sharma said, ‘Absolutely. Intent’s back, matching our year’s template. Yesterday’s huddle and prior practice nailed it: settle in, then attack freely. Batting unit thrives on mutual trust; that’s our edge moving forward.’
Beyond stats, Sharma’s innings embodied resilience, reinforcing India’s status as title contenders with momentum surging at the perfect time.