CNMSports

3rd T20I: Pitch Wasnt Easy, But Abhisheks Knock Was Flawless, Says Shreyas Iyer

Arun Jaitley Stadium: India captain Shreyas Iyer lauded young opener Abhishek Sharmas sensational 108, helping the side get a 127-run win over Afghanistan and complete a 3-0 series sweep, calling it a flawless effort on a challenging pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Abhisheks masterclass knock was worth 34 deliveries, laced with nine fours and 11 sixes, and got a standing ovation from a standout crowd at the stadium after being caught behind by Rahmanullah Gurbaz off Rashid Khan in the tenth over. Abhisheks explosive knock eclipsed former India captain Rohit Sharmas 35-ball effort against Sri Lanka, coming at Holkar Stadium, Indore, in 2017 and grabbed the record for the fastest T20I hundred by an Indian mens batter, as well as the quickest ever hundred by a batter from a Test-playing country in the shortest format. Overall, it stands as the third-fastest century in mens T20I history, trailing only Estonias Sahil Chauhan (27 balls) and Turkeys Muhammad Fahad (29 balls), as India got their second straight 3-0 series win in the shortest format under Iyers leadership. I mean, I wouldn't say bullying, but you would definitely be respectful of the fact that you have come to India and then they were hosting the series. So commendable performance by them as well. It wasn't an easy wicket, but the way Abhishek played today was flawless, and it was just pleasing to the eye, Iyer said at the post-match presentation ceremony. He further revealed that he had already anticipated batting first after a brief conversation with his counterpart, Ibrahim Zadran, prior to the toss. Honestly speaking, I knew that I was going to bat today because we had a brief conversation with Ibrahim. He wanted to bowl in the first two games as well. So I had this vision, envisioned that we were going to bat. But yeah, phenomenal start we got, and then obviously just to cream those runs in between to get 220 on the board was commendable, added Iyer. He further revealed that he had already anticipated batting first after a brief conversation with his counterpart, Ibrahim Zadran, prior to the toss. Honestly speaking, I knew that I was going to bat today because we had a brief conversation with Ibrahim. He wanted to bowl in the first two games as well. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories So he's been doing it over the years, and I personally feel that he's someone who has got his head on his shoulders and thinks a lot about his game, and he's been performing consistently throughout. So kudos to him. Article Source: IANS