How many of you remember those school days when a book cricket partnership could turn into an epic contest, with every run celebrated and every boundary imagined? Watching Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi bat together today brought back those memories, except that this was the real thing, and the bowlers were on the receiving end as India sauntered to an eight-wicket chase of 199 in just 13.2 overs, thus winning the series with two games to spare.
Set a target of 199 after the bowlers did well to keep New Zealand’s big bats relatively quiet in Wellington, where the boundaries are smaller than in Christchurch, India raced to 118 runs in the powerplay – a record for all men’s T20I internationals. Let that sink in for a moment. One hundred and eighteen runs in six overs! And Sanju Samson, another of India’s explosive batting options, was not even opening the innings.
The confidence and intent in India’s batting have become remarkable, whether it is Abhishek partnering Samson or joining forces with the teenage Sooryavanshi. The message is clear: India are prepared to attack from the very first ball, regardless of the target or the opposition.
Abhishek set the tone by charging out of the blocks as though he had a flight to catch. He needed just 15 deliveries to reach his half-century, taking the attack to every bowler who came his way. The off-side was peppered with boundaries, while the leg-side took its share of punishment as well.
His century arrived in just 35 balls. If anything, it seemed as though he had briefly slowed down along the way!
That is the extraordinary thing about Abhishek. His willingness to take risks and maintain an attacking approach, even when the rewards do not come immediately, is what makes him such a dangerous opener. Four of five low scores should not be enough to overshadow the impact he can have on a game. Very few batters possess the ability to dismantle an opposition attack in such spectacular fashion.
Sooryavanshi was equally impressive, hammering 45 off just 18 deliveries. The youngster made his intentions clear from the outset, offering a timely reminder of his ability. With Ishan Kishan expected to return for the next game, Sooryavanshi may have to make way, but this innings should give him plenty of confidence.
India, meanwhile, have wrapped up the series with two matches still to play. When the batting looks this explosive, it is difficult not to be excited about what comes next.
