Abhishek Sharma breaks Rohit Sharma's record for most sixes in powerplay in T20Is
Abhishek Sharma's three powerplay sixes took him past Rohit Sharma's record and highlighted his aggressive intent at the top of the order.
Abhishek Sharma hit three sixes in the powerplay during India's chase of 226 against New Zealand in Christchurch on Thursday, taking his career tally in the first six overs to 99 and surpassing Rohit Sharma's previous record of 98. He reached the mark by clearing Matt Henry for six off the first ball he faced in the innings.
Abhishek also became the player to hit the first ball he faced for six most often in T20Is, achieving the feat seven times and moving ahead of Afghanistan's Shafiqullah Shinwari. His 29 off 12 balls formed part of a 93-run opening stand with Sanju Samson before India slipped to 167 for five and required Naman Dhir's unbeaten 42 off 15 balls to complete the chase.
The partnership was the fifth 50-plus opening stand by an Indian pair in T20Is in 2026, equalling the calendar-year record set by KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma in 2021. Abhishek has now scored 246 runs in eight T20I innings at a strike rate above 186.
CricHubb Take
Abhishek's powerplay dominance has become a structural advantage for India that opposition captains must now plan around from the first over.