Abhishek Sharma scripts history, enters Indian cricket's record books

EditionININUSGCCEnglishEnglishहिन्दीमराठीಕನ್ನಡதமிழ்বাংলাമലയാളംతెలుగుગુજરાતીWeatherSign InTOIToday's ePaperLive EditionININUSGCCEnglishEnglishहिन्दीमराठीಕನ್ನಡதமிழ்বাংলাമലയാളംతెలుగుગુજરાતીWeatherSign In TOIToday's ePaperLive NewsAbhishek Sharma scripts history, enters Indian cricket's record booksAbhishek Sharma scripts history, enters Indian cricket's record booksTOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jul 26, 2026, 08:10 ISTCommentsShareAA+Text SizeSmallMediumLarge India's Abhishek Sharma (AP Photo) India all-rounder Abhishek Sharma etched his name into the record books after registering the best bowling figures by an Indian opener in T20I cricket during the second T20I against Zimbabwe on Saturday. The left-arm spinner returned figures of 3/17, surpassing every Indian opener to produce the finest bowling performance in the shortest format.

His spell came as India thrashed Zimbabwe by 90 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Watch Ishan Kishan Press Conference: On match-winning knock, comeback, team role & Vaibhav Suryavanshi Abhishek's effort now sits alongside two iconic performances by Indian openers across formats. Vinoo Mankad continues to hold the record in Tests with his remarkable 8/52 against Pakistan in 1952, while Ravi Shastri's 5/15 against Australia in 1991 remains the best by an Indian opener in ODIs.

CJP Jantar Mantar Protest UpdatesDharmendra Pradhan resigns as Union education minister amid massive student protests'We won't go': CJP's Dipke says protests to continue till all demands metFresh clashes at Jantar Mantar after Pradhan's exit; tear gas fired, stones pelted Best bowling figures by an Indian opener: Tests: Vinoo Mankad – 8/52 vs Pakistan (1952) ODIs: Ravi Shastri – 5/15 vs Australia (1991) T20Is: Abhishek Sharma – 3/17 vs Zimbabwe (2026) Abhishek had endured a disappointing outing with the bat after being dismissed cheaply by Blessing Muzarabani, but he made a decisive impact with the ball. Introduced as a part-time option, the left-arm spinner struck three times to ensure Zimbabwe never recovered during their daunting chase of 220. Zimbabwe's pursuit lost momentum after Brian Bennett's early aggression was cut short, and the visitors kept chipping away at regular intervals.

Abhishek's three wickets, along with two each from Yash Thakur and Prince Yadav, bundled the hosts out for 129. Earlier, India recovered from 29/2 thanks to Ishan Kishan's commanding 81 and Tilak Varma's unbeaten 60. Kishan steadied the innings before accelerating in the latter half of his knock, while Tilak produced a fluent half-century to power India to 219/5.

The bowlers then completed the job in emphatic fashion, with Abhishek capping off the victory by creating a new Indian record.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.

About the AuthorTOI Sports DeskAt TOI Sports Desk, reporters work around the clock to bring you comprehensive updates from the world of sports. Expect nuanced match reports, previews, and reviews, along with statistics-based technical analysis, the latest social media trends, and expert insights across cricket, football, tennis, badminton, hockey, motorsports, wrestling, boxing, shooting, athletics, and more.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Time To Go Home': CJP Removes Stage, Urges Protesters To Leave Jantar Mantar'Don't Waste This Energy On One Resignation': Yogendra Yadav On CJP Future, 'Police Brutality'RSS Loyalist Pralhad Joshi Appointed As India's New Education Minister Hours After Pradhan's ExitPost Protest, Volunteers Launch Cleanliness Drive At Jantar Mantar'Wangchuk, Dipke Joined AISA's Protest': Harsh Dubey On NEET, Reservation, Jantar Mantar ProtestJantar Mantar Erupts In Celebration As Pradhan Resigns, Delhi Metro Reopens All Station Gates'Proof That We Can Take Anyone's Resignation': Abhijeet Dipke After Pradhan Quits | Jantar MantarEducation Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns After Month-Long Protests, Lathi Charge Fury'No Information On Foreign Funding' MEA Claims As CJP Protest Intensifies NationwideCJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke Diagnosed With Typhoid, Says Protest Continues Until Pradhan Resigns123International SportsCommanders trade rumor: Washington Commanders linked to former $63.

5 million New England Patriots WRWho are Stefon Diggs' six children and their mothers? The NFL star's family explained"We be getting divorced every other month": Relentless divorce rumors pushed Travis Hunter's wife Leanna Lenee into a shocking social media move"Heart wants what the heart wants": Will Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel go the distance? Boston radio hosts are already debating the answer"Goodbyes are getting harder": Brittany Mahomes breaks silence on the hardest part of being married to Patrick Mahomes every summer"She doesn't shrink herself": Travis Kelce's comfort with Taylor Swift's fame and billion dollar fortune may be the secret to their relationship12Top Sports NewsCommonwealth Games 2026Travis HeadRavichan