Abhishek Sharma Sets Indian Record for Best Bowling Figures by an Opening Batter in T20Is

Abhishek Sharma set a new Indian record in the 2nd T20I against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club. The left-arm part-timer returned figures of 3 for 17 from his overs. That's now the best bowling figures by an Indian opening batter in T20I history.

Abhishek doesn't bowl regularly for India. He came on as a change option in Zimbabwe's chase and made an instant impact. He removed Wessly Madhevere, Newman Nyamhuri and Richard Ngarava, breaking a middle-order stand and cleaning up the tail in the same spell.

His bowling has taken a back seat to his batting so far in his young international career. He's better known as India's aggressive opener at the top of the order, with two T20I centuries already to his name. This spell adds a new string to his game, and gives India's think tank another bowling option to call on in tight matches.

The all-round effort helped bowl Zimbabwe out for 129, as India completed a 90-run win to seal the three-match series 2-0 with a game to spare.