The upcoming T20I series between New Zealand and India promises to be an exhilarating showdown, spotlighting two of the most dynamic T20I openers in the game today: Finn Allen and Abhishek Sharma.
Both players have showcased remarkable performances for their teams this year. The first match is scheduled to take place in Christchurch on Thursday.
Abhishek Sharma holds the record for the fastest T20I century by a player from a Test-playing nation, achieved against Afghanistan earlier this year. Meanwhile, Finn Allen’s impressive 33-ball century against South Africa stands as the quickest in the history of ICC T20 and 50-over World Cups.
Finn Allen’s T20I Achievements
At 27 years old, Finn Allen has participated in 62 T20I matches for New Zealand, amassing 1,663 runs across 61 innings, with an average of 28.67 and a striking rate exceeding 170. His record includes three centuries and seven fifties. In his 26 T20I appearances in New Zealand, he has scored 737 runs at an average of 29.48 and a strike rate of 175.89, featuring one century and four fifties. This year, Allen has excelled in T20Is, scoring 378 runs in 10 matches at an impressive average of 54.00 and a strike rate over 202, including one century and two fifties. His highest score this year is 100*. Overall, in 53 T20 matches this year, he has accumulated 1,496 runs at an average of 31.16 and a strike rate of 180.67, with three centuries and six fifties.
| Year | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Centuries | Fifties | Best Score | |——|———|———|——|———|————-|———–|———|————| | 2023 | 10 | 9 | 378 | 54.00 | 202 | 1 | 2 | 100* | | Total| 53 | 52 | 1496 | 31.16 | 180.67 | 3 | 6 | – |
Abhishek Sharma’s Record-Breaking Performance
Abhishek Sharma has made a significant impact in T20 cricket, scoring 2,071 runs in 67 matches and 66 innings, with an average of 32.35 and a strike rate of 194.09. His record includes three centuries and 14 fifties, with a top score of 135. Notably, he became the fastest player to reach 2,000 T20I runs, achieving this milestone in just 1,024 balls. In 34 T20I matches this year, he has scored 956 runs at an average of 28.96 and a strike rate of 201.68, including one century and eight fifties, with a best score of 108. When playing away from home, Abhishek has scored 957 runs in 35 T20Is, averaging 29 with a strike rate of 178.54, featuring one century and seven fifties.
| Year | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Centuries | Fifties | Best Score | |——|———|———|——|———|————-|———–|———|————| | 2023 | 34 | – | 956 | 28.96 | 201.68 | 1 | 8 | 108 | | Total| 67 | 66 | 2071 | 32.35 | 194.09 | 3 | 14 | 135 |
India’s T20I Squad Announcement
The Indian T20I squad has been announced, featuring: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav.