“Haven’t reached 300”: Gautam Gambhir challenges Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson

Head coach Gautam Gambhir has set India’s batters a fresh target after their dominant 3-0 T20I series sweep over Afghanistan. Despite India producing a record-breaking batting display in the third T20I, the head coach pointed out that the team is yet to breach the 300-run mark in men’s T20Is.

Gautam Gambhir highlighted India’s explosive start in the series finale, where the team scored 100 runs without losing a wicket in the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma led the charge with a stunning 30-ball century, while Sanju Samson also contributed to the record opening stand as India eventually posted 221/7 in 20 overs.

Abhishek Sharma destroys Afghanistan as India register 3-0 sweep

Abhishek Sharma produced one of the most destructive T20I innings by an Indian batter in the third match against Afghanistan in Delhi. The left-hander smashed 108 off just 34 balls, reaching his century in 30 deliveries to break Rohit Sharma’s previous Indian record of a 35-ball hundred.

His century was also the third-fastest in men’s T20I cricket overall and the fastest by a batter from a Full Member nation. Abhishek struck 11 sixes and nine fours during his remarkable assault, while his first 50 came from only 16 balls.

India also created history during the opening six overs. Abhishek and Sanju Samson took the score to 100/0 in the powerplay, India’s highest-ever powerplay total in a men’s T20I. Samson eventually scored a quick 50 before India finished on 221/7.

The innings followed Abhishek’s scores of 82 and 39 in the first two games, meaning he finished the series with 229 runs. India then bowled Afghanistan out for 94 to complete a 127-run victory and a 3-0 sweep. Abhishek was named Player of the Match and Player of the Series.

The only thing that we talk in that dressing room is about how much impact can we create – Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir explained that Abhishek’s century itself was not the main focus for the Indian team. Instead, he said the coaching staff places greater emphasis on the overall impact players can create with both bat and ball.

“Look, I’ll tell you one thing. I think that it’s not about the 100 that he [Abhishek Sharma] scored today. I can sit here and keep talking about his 100, but it’s just the impact,” Gautam Gambhir said at the post-match press conference.

“The only thing that we talk in that dressing room is about how much impact can we create with the bat and how much impact can we create with the ball. And that has been our ideology, that has been our philosophy since last two years. T20 cricket is not about runs or wickets, it’s about how much impact can you create.”

We still haven’t reached 300 – Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir also singled out India’s record powerplay as a major positive from the series finale. While Abhishek’s hundred and Samson’s fifty stood out on the scorecard, the coach said India’s ability to score 100 runs inside the first six overs was particularly significant.

“And for both Sanju and Abhishek, I think you can easily sit here and say one got a 50 and the other one got a 100. But for me, I think the biggest positive was when we got a 100 in the powerplay. That we have never done in my coaching tenure,” Gautam Gambhir said.

“So I think that was a very clear message that if you’re going hard, just keep going hard. That is what the message and that is exactly the message going to be in future as well that we still haven’t reached 300 [in T20Is]. So that’s probably the next target because the kind of talent we have in that dressing room, we should be doing some incredible things. So we still have a lot to achieve.”

Source: cricketaddictor.com