Indian opener Abhishek Sharma delivered a masterclass in explosive batting during the first T20I against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval, etching his name permanently into the history books.
Chasing a daunting target of 226, Sharma wasted zero time imposing his authority on the match, breaking the world record for the most first-ball sixes in T20 International cricket.
The historic moment arrived on the sixth ball of the opening over. New Zealand seamer Matt Henry pitched a full, wide delivery outside off stump—an invitation the dynamic left-hander happily accepted. Sharma unleashed a stunning lofted cover drive that soared cleanly over the boundary ropes, sending Indian fans and the dugout into absolute rapture.
With this majestic stroke, Sharma recorded the seventh instance in his T20I career where he began his innings with a maximum. This extraordinary feat allowed him to surpass Afghanistan’s Shafiqulla Shinwari, who previously held the record with six first-ball sixes. Furthermore, Sharma moved two clear of compatriot Suryakumar Yadav, who stands third on the elite list with five.
While the milestone highlight lit up the start of the innings, it also set the tone for a thrilling encounter during India’s massive 226-run chase. Sharma’s fearless approach continues to redefine powerplay dominance, cementing his status as one of the most dangerous openers in modern white-ball cricket.
As teams analyse bowling strategies against the young opener, one thing is certain: bowlers worldwide now know that giving Abhishek Sharma width on ball one is a risk they take at their own peril.
