Power-hitting, milestones, and a tense finish under the lights. India bounced back nicely in the third T20I of their five-match series against the West Indies, handing the visitors a 14-run defeat to take a 2-1 series lead at Holkar Stadium.
Abhishek Sharma's scintillating batting performance laid a platform for a strong innings as the hosts posted a formidable total of 223, which the bowlers defended to help the home side pull off an important 214/7.
The Abhishek Sharma Show
Chasing in the first innings, India made a powerful start and wasted no time in asserting their dominance. Their opener, Abhishek, simply dismantled the West Indies bowling attack, scoring a rapid 69 off just 30 deliveries, with six boundaries and five maximums to his name. He recorded an astonishing strike rate of 230.
Ishan Kishan (37 off 19), Tilak Varma (28), Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Axar Patel (20) all played their part in the explosive total. Despite the score on the board, they all folded on the final delivery and let the hosts know what for.
The hosts fought hard in the run chase but left it till the very end to push India right to the wire. Arshdeep bowled a brilliant spell of 3/44 in his four overs for the hosts. Naman Dhir also picked up two vital scalps while Axar and Reddy both took a wicket to clinch a 14-run win for the hosts.
A Host of Records: 5 Records Smashed at Indore
Although the win was tasty for the hosts, this fixture will forever be fondly remembered for a flurry of world and national T20I records that Team India and their hero opener smashed on the way:
1. Third Highest All-Out Total in Men's T20Is: India's total of 223 is the third-highest team score by a side that's been all out in the Men's T20I World Cup. The record is held by Turkey (237 vs. Bulgaria in 2025), followed by New Zealand (225 vs. India in 2026).
2. Third Highest Powerplay Score vs. WI: India's blistering 87/1 in the opening six overs, led by Abhishek and Kishan, is the third-highest powerplay score against the West Indies in T20I history. South Africa's 102/0 in 2023 tops the charts, with Ireland's 93/0 in 2020 in second place.
3. Fastest to 2000 T20I Runs (by Balls): Abhishek Sharma's rapid 2000-run landmark is the fastest in T20I history, achieved in only 1024 balls. Sharma surpassed Suryakumar Yadav's previous record of 1164 balls to become the fastest T20I run-scorer in history.
4. Joint Third Fastest Fifty vs. WI: Abhishek Sharma's 57-ball fifty during the powerplay has equaled the joint third-fastest fifty against the West Indies in T20I history. Sharma joined the likes of Colin Munro and David Warner, who both scored a fifty in just 52 balls against the Windies in 2021. Quinton de Kock still holds the record for the fastest T20I fifty against the West Indies, with 15 balls in 2023.
5. Most Sixes in a Calendar Year: Sharma smashed five more sixes in his innings, taking his tally for the year to 68. This equals Suryakumar Yadav's world record for the most sixes hit in a T20I calendar year.
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With this win under their belt, India will be looking to complete the series when the two sides meet for the fourth T20I.