Virat Kohli's 9-year-old record is in danger; Abhishek Sharma to make history in Dharamshala

Abhishek Sharma is on the verge of breaking Virat Kohli's record for the most runs scored by an Indian batsman in a calendar year in T20 cricket. Kohli set this record in 2016, scoring 1,614 runs in 31 matches at an average of 89.66. He had four centuries and 14 half-centuries to his name during that period. Now, Abhishek Sharma is just 87 runs away from surpassing this record.

His performance in the India vs South Africa T20I series has been inconsistent, but his aggressive batting remains a major match-winning factor for India.

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Abhishek's runs so far

This year, Abhishek Sharma has scored 1,533 runs in 39 T20 matches at an average of 41.43, including three centuries and nine half-centuries. The left-handed batsman will next be in action on Sunday, December 14, at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamshala.

Abhishek Sharma's performance in the ongoing India vs South Africa T20I series has been a mix of brilliant flashes and inconsistency. In the first T20I played in Cuttack, he was dismissed cheaply, but India still managed to score 175 for six wickets and won the match comfortably by 101 runs.

Abhishek Sharma is just 87 runs away from breaking Virat Kohli's record

In the second T20I in New Chandigarh, Abhishek Sharma again opened the innings but could only manage 17 runs off 8 balls. In this short innings, he hit two sixes, one of which put him in the elite list of Indian power hitters with more than 50 sixes in T20 international cricket in a calendar year.

Abhishek Sharma to make history in Dharamshala

However, this quick cameo did not prove decisive, and Sharma was dismissed early. Following his dismissal, India's batting faltered. South Africa, batting first, scored 213 for four wickets and defeated India by 51 runs to level the series at 1-1.

Also Read: India vs South Africa 2nd T20I: Second match of the T20 series between India and South Africa

India's campaign so far has been a mixed bag. While the bowlers dominated and the batsmen posted a strong total in the first match, the team was bowled out for 162 in 19.1 overs while chasing a large target of 214 in the second match, exposing weaknesses in their run chase.

Summary

The five-match series is now level, and India will need more consistent contributions from both their top and middle order in the upcoming matches. Abhishek Sharma's explosive batting, however, remains a potential match-winning asset for India.