Abhishek Sharma latest Indian cricket ace to torment England with a whirlwind knock

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Take a break Rohit Sharma.

The same goes for you Virat Kohli.

Without either of you two, India thrashed visiting England 4-1 in the five-match Twenty20 series and hopefully that drubbing will open the eyes of the selectors, who have in the past few months resembled racehorses with their blinkers on.

It’s time to put those who have passed their prime to pasture, but Indian selectors are hesitant to make this call on two of the country’s greatest batsmen.

That’s fair enough, but going forward with the Champions Trophy on the horizon, the selectors have only a few weeks left to make that decision.

Nobody has missed them since a certain 24-year-old Abhishek Sharma has taken Indian cricket by storm after he tore the English bowling attack to shreds in that final encounter.

On a wild evening at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Sharma plundered 135 runs from just 54 balls to leave England gasping for air. The 35,000 in attendance couldn’t believe their eyes as Sharma put on a display that resembled a hurricane as he hammered 13 sixes and seven fours in India’s total of 247 for nine.

Chasing this insurmountable score, England crumbled in its reply and found itself back in the pavilion for a meagre 97 in 10.3 overs.

Sharma brought up his 50 off 17 balls and reached three figures off 37 deliveries to record the third-fastest ton between these two Test nations. His knock was the best by an Indian, eclipsing Shubman Gill’s 126 versus New Zealand in 2003.

England skipper Jos Buttler showed his class as the team made a beeline for Sharma after the ball settled in Jofra Archer’s hands at deep cover to show their appreciation to their tormentor.

There was some more good news for India, as well, as fast bowler Mohammad Shami made a superb comeback after being sidelined for a year with a heel injury as he took three wickets for 25 runs.

Sharma showed his ability wasn’t restricted to the bat as he claimed two wickets for three runs off his single over as he removed Brydon Carse and Jamie Overton as England fell to its heaviest defeat.

The series had its highs and lows, and England had a good reason to believe it was “robbed” of victory in the fourth encounter.

The incident happened when Shivam Dube was replaced under concussion protocols. The batsman was replaced by Harshit Rana, a 90-mph speedster, instead of another batsman.

The ICC concussion guidance says replacement should be “like for like” and this definitely wasn’t. It wasn’t India’s fault, but the umpires who made this call should be put on the carpet.

“It’s not a like-for-like replacement, we don’t agree with that,” fumed Buttler. India won by 15 runs as Rana took three wickets for 33 runs to wreck England’s chances.

Sharma’s batting style reminded one of the retired Yuvraj Singh, who loved decimating the bowlers. In 2007, Yuvraj lit up the Twenty20 World Cup when he smashed all six balls from England’s Stuart Broad into the stands en route to the fastest 50 off 12 balls.

Sharma attributes much of his success to Yuvraj who has mentored him over the past few years.

SUPER 60 SET TO GO

A new cricket league will be launched here in Toronto in July and it is hoped it will catch on across the country.

This version of the game should prove entertaining as it will be played over 10 overs — or 60 balls — and the game lasts around 90 minutes.

The tournament follows in the footsteps of the Global T20 Canada that has made its mark on the local scene. This new competition is organized by the British-based Star 333 Sports Inc. in conjunction with Cricket Canada.

The tournament has roped in former India superstar Yuvraj Singh to be a spokesman and it’s more than likely he also will play.

“I am delighted to lend my leadership and vision to the Canada Super 60 League,” Singh said. “This tournament has the potential to be a stepping stone for the future of cricket in this region.

“Combining local talent and international stars is a recipe for something truly special. I am excited to be part of this journey and can’t wait to see the impact this league will have on cricket in North America.’’

SRI LANKA THRASHED

Visiting Australia handed Sri Lanka its heaviest Test defeat in a rain-interrupted encounter in Galle. Australia has now set its sights on a rare series win in Asia.

The Aussies trampled the home team by an innings and 242 runs after piling on 654 for six declared and then dismissing the home team for 165 and 247.

For Australia, opening batsman Usman Khawaja discovered his batting skills by hitting 232 and skipper Steve Smith weighed in with 141 while Josh Inglis made 102.

The hosts had no answer to spin aces Nathan Lyon and left-armer Matt Kuhnemann, who captured nine wickets in his first Test in nearly two years while the ever-dangerous Lyon took seven wickets in the two innings.

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