Follow UsIndia pulverised England by 150 runs in the fifth T20I and won the five match T20I series 4-1. Abhishek Sharma was the destructor in chief for India, as the youngster from Punjab dished out a wide variety of spectacular strokes and smashed 13 sixes in his innings — which is the most hit by an Indian batter. His 135 is also the highest score by an Indian batter in T20Is.
“I've seen a lot of cricket, and I thought Abhishek's innings today was one of the best,” Jos Buttler admitted after the game.
England tried to match India’s fire with an inferno of their own, but it ended up consuming their own team as they were all out on just 97. Only Phil Salt was able to sustain his assault and he collected 55 runs in just 23 deliveries for it.
“We're disappointed to lose the series, but we've done some things well, and some things we want to improve on,” England skipper Buttler said after taking stock of the situation.
“We want to keep committing to this style of cricket and execute better. India are a fantastic side, especially at home, and we're better for the experience, the experience of great crowds like this at the Wankhede.”
Buttler also mentioned how there were a few positives in the bowling for England despite suffering such a brutal onslaught from the Indian batters.
Some of the guys' bowling performances - even today, Brydon Carse and Mark Wood were outstanding,” Buttler said.
The three-match ODI series begins just a few days later, on February 6, in Nagpur.