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Abhishek Sharma’s Explosive Onslaught Shatters T20 Milestones in SMAT Thriller Against Bengal

In a display of sheer batting dominance, Punjab skipper Abhishek Sharma unleashed a ferocious 148-run knock off just 52 deliveries against Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, held at Hyderabad’s Gymkhana Ground. The explosive innings, featuring eight boundaries and a staggering 16 maximums, propelled Punjab to a colossal total and etched Sharma’s name deeper into T20 folklore.

Sharma wasted no time asserting his intent, racing to a blistering half-century in a mere 12 balls—the third-quickest by an Indian in T20 cricket, trailing only Ashutosh Sharma and Yuvraj Singh. Undeterred, he accelerated further, converting that momentum into his eighth T20 century in just 32 balls. This feat places him alongside Rohit Sharma as the second Indian batter to reach eight international T20 hundreds, with Virat Kohli holding a solitary lead in that elite club.

For a fleeting moment, it seemed Sharma was on course to eclipse Chris Gayle’s long-standing T20 record of 175 not out. However, his swashbuckling stay concluded at 148, leaving spectators and statisticians alike in awe of the destruction wrought in under an hour.

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Bolstering Sharma’s assault was opener Prabhsimran Singh, who contributed a brisk 70 from 35 balls, helping forge a formidable platform. The duo’s synergy powered Punjab to 310 for five in their allotted 20 overs—a mark that ranks as the fourth-highest team score in T20 history.

The fireworks extended beyond individual brilliance: Punjab’s batters collectively launched 28 sixes during the innings, surpassing the previous global benchmark of 27 set by Zimbabwe against Gambia in 2024. This record-shattering performance underscores the evolving aggression in white-ball cricket, where boundaries now define the game’s pulse.

As Punjab’s campaign in the SMAT gains steam, Sharma’s masterclass serves as a stark reminder of his growing stature on the domestic circuit. With such pyrotechnics, the 24-year-old is not just chasing records—he’s redefining them.

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