Sharma's blazing 69 powers India to T20I series lead

The Cliff News | 12 October 2026

India's opener Abhishek Sharma showcased a masterclass in belligerent batting, smashing a crucial 30-ball 69 that proved instrumental in India's 14-run victory over the West Indies in the third T20 International. This decisive win propels India to a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

The West Indies had devised a specific strategy to curb Sharma's aggressive strokeplay, aiming to restrict him to singles and twos. However, Sharma's response was to simply outperform their plan, a testament to his current form and confidence.

West Indies' Defensive Strategy Revealed

Following the match, West Indies all-rounder Shamar Springer disclosed the visitors' tactical shift against the in-form Indian opener. Recognizing Sharma's potent hitting, the West Indies planned to adopt a defensive approach, focusing on damage control rather than a direct pursuit of a quick dismissal.

“He is a world-class player. Kudos to him, for sure. But I guess our plan B is to just be as defensive as possible and try to make him get singles and twos, running at moments. Nothing too extravagant,” Springer told reporters after the match.

Springer elaborated on the team's rationale, acknowledging the difficulty of containing world-class batsmen on excellent wickets. The strategy was an attempt to "pull him back and be as impressive as possible," with the understanding that outright control was challenging.

Sharma's initial onslaught against off-spinner Roston Chase forced the West Indies to rethink their plans. Despite the defensive measures, Sharma's aggressive intent could not be contained, providing India with a vital cushion.

Sharma's Dominance and Record-Breaking Feat

Abhishek Sharma's dazzling innings featured six fours and five sixes. This performance marked his 14th T20I half-century and, remarkably, saw him become the fastest player to reach 2,000 runs in the format in terms of balls faced. His aggressive start was crucial in setting up India's formidable total.

Sharma's 108-run partnership with wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan, who contributed 37 runs, laid the foundation for India to post a commanding 223 runs. The Indian bowlers then held their nerve to restrict the West Indies to 209/7, successfully defending their total.

'I Had to Play Better Than That': Sharma's Perspective

Sharma admitted that the West Indies' tactics were on his mind, particularly when Chase opened the bowling. He recognized the strategic challenge but felt confident in his ability to adapt and overcome.

“I wouldn't say it was deliberate, but it was there in my mind that they had a plan against me,” Abhishek said. “(With the) off-spinner bowling against me, it was just a battle between him and me. I gave him respect in the first over because he is bowling really well in this series, so it is just the plan that went pretty well for me as well.”

The dynamic opener emphasized that his strokeplay was primarily dictated by the field placements rather than pre-meditated shots. He described his approach as instinctive, adapting to opportunities presented by the opposition's setup.

“...because in the powerplay, I was trying to just get a few runs and they had a plan for me, and I had to play better than that,” he said. “I don't think and play deliberately. It just happens when I see the field placement, whenever they have a field placement which allows me to just give myself room and play those shots.”

India's Ruthless Approach Despite Late Scare

Sharma highlighted India's determination to maintain pressure on the West Indies, aware of their batting depth and ability to stage comebacks. The team was resolute in not allowing the opposition back into the game, especially after their potent batting lineup had demonstrated such capability in previous encounters.

“West Indies is such a team that you can never say that the match is now on our side,” he said, recalling how the opposition’s batters had shown their ability to change the course of a game. “That was in our mind because we saw in the last match that whichever batsman comes in, (with) the conditions that we have here, it is very easy for them to take the match to their side.”

The Indian players maintained a focus on being ruthless, even when facing challenges or losing wickets. This mindset prevented the West Indies from gaining any foothold in the latter stages of the match.

Springer, despite his own late cameo of an unbeaten 35 off 11 balls, including four sixes and two fours, acknowledged that the West Indies missed opportunities. He pointed to missed scoring chances and a pitch that played lower than expected as contributing factors to their defeat. He also credited the Indian bowlers for their effective utilization of the conditions.

India's victory reinforces their dominance in the series, with Abhishek Sharma's explosive batting once again proving to be a decisive factor, prompting opposition teams to continuously strategize ways to contain his formidable talent.