Daijiworld Media Network – Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Nov 30: Punjab skipper Abhishek Sharma roared back to form in spectacular fashion on Sunday morning, blasting a record-shattering century against Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at the Gymkhana Ground. After a string of low scores on his comeback, the left-hander unleashed a breathtaking assault that left the Bengal attack shell-shocked.

Opening the innings after Punjab chose to bat, Abhishek struck a stunning half-century in just 12 deliveries, tearing into former SunRisers Hyderabad teammate Mohammed Shami for 23 runs in a single over. By the time he reached his fifty, he had smashed five sixes and five fours, with 50 of his first 51 runs coming in boundaries.

Prabhsimran Singh gave Punjab an explosive start as well, helping push the score past 120 inside eight overs. Abhishek continued punishing the bowlers with towering hits straight down the ground, repeatedly targeting the V with brute power.

He soon reached a 32-ball century, finishing with 11 sixes and seven fours on his way to triple figures. The knock marked his eighth T20 hundred in 157 innings, drawing him level with Rohit Sharma; among Indian batters, only Virat Kohli (nine) has more.

Abhishek also shattered his own six-hitting record. With 16 sixes in the innings, he surpassed his 2024 tally, becoming the first Indian to cross 90 T20 sixes in a calendar year.

His monstrous effort – 148 off just 52 deliveries – powered Punjab beyond the 300-run mark, making them only the second Indian T20 team to breach the milestone after Baroda’s feat against Sikkim in 2024.