While Sanju Samson's innings in the fifth T20I against England may have ended prematurely with a score of just 16, the Indian batter etched his name into the record books with a remarkable feat.
Samson became only the third Indian to hit a six off the very first ball of a T20I match, joining the elite company of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Facing Jofra Archer, who had consistently challenged the Rajasthan Royals man with bouncers throughout the series, the Indian opener responded emphatically.
On the first delivery of the match at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, Samson moved back and across to dispatch a short-pitched ball over deep mid-wicket for a flat six. This bold stroke mirrored the achievements of Rohit Sharma, who had launched Adil Rashid for a six on the opening ball in 2021 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who achieved the feat against Sikandar Raza in Harare last year.
Although Samson showed flashes of aggression with another six and a boundary, his innings was cut short by Mark Wood. Falling victim to a well-directed bouncer, the 30-year-old's dismissal marked the fifth time in the series that he succumbed to a short-pitched delivery. He concluded the series with just 51 runs, marking the third-lowest aggregate for an Indian opener in a T20I series or tournament.
Despite Samson's modest contribution, the Indian men's cricket team delivered a commanding performance to seal a 150-run victory over England, securing a 4-1 series win. The standout performer of the match was Abhishek Sharma, whose explosive 135 off 54 balls not only anchored the home side's innings but also set new records. His innings featured 13 sixes, the most by an Indian in a T20I, surpassing the previous record held by Rohit Sharma.
Abhishek's knock also eclipsed Shubman Gill's unbeaten 126 against New Zealand, establishing the highest individual T20I score by an Indian. India posted an imposing total of 247/9 in their allotted 20 overs, leaving England with a daunting chase.
The Indian bowlers ensured there was no chance of an English comeback, bundling them out for just 97 runs. Mohammed Shami led the bowling attack with figures of 3/25, while Abhishek showcased his all-round prowess by claiming two wickets in a single over.
Debayan Bhattacharyya Mykhel
