India’s left-handed opening batter, Abhishek Sharma, has gone through a hot and cold form during the five-match T20I series at home against New Zealand, just a week before the T20 World Cup 2026, as India seeks to see the southpaw in his best form before their opening clash against the United States of America (USA).

The left-handed batter started in the same aggressive route from the very first over, but his flick shot against Kyle Jamieson for a massive 6 over long broke the internet. It was the last delivery of the second over as Jamison went for a foolish delivery on the off side, where the batter stayed rooted to the crease and brought the bottom hand into play before whipping it high and over long on what was a massive helicopter six.

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Abhishek started the game with another huge six. That time played it late and chipped it over extra cover with a pure trimming before ramping the fifth delivery of the opening over fine leg for a boundary, and continued the same by giving himself room and smacking the pacer.  

Abhishek Sharma smashes helicopter six to Kyle Jamieson 

India got a strong start with the bat from Abhishek’s end. But Sanju and Son continued to struggle in the T20 TI form as he has now scored only 166 runs in the last 16 innings since the start of 2 05, having been dismissed 13 times at an average of 12.76 and a strike rate of 126.71 against the pacers.

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During the fifth game of the series, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and decided to bat first to challenge their bowlers in Dewey conditions during the second innings, which will be vital for them heading into the World Cup. It will now be up to the management whether they open with Ishan Kishan in the WC.

Isan Kisan struggled a little at the start of his innings before smashing Lockheed Ferguson for a boundary and one six on consecutive deliveries in the fifth over of the first innings.

Brief Scores: India 54/2 (Abhishek Sharma 30, Lokie Ferguson 2/13) vs New Zealand.