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Abhishek Sharma kept rolling with that same kind of blistering form in the first T20I vs Ireland at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast. The left-handed opener didn’t hang around much, he needed only 20 balls to get to his half-century, and basically gave India this proper flying start while chasing 149.

And because it wasn’t just another good knock, Abhishek also landed a big T20I record. Actually it was the fifth time he reached a T20I fifty in 20 balls or less. Now, no batter from a Full Member nation has managed this kind of thing more times. Before this, the top mark stood at four such innings. So yeah, Abhishek has officially taken over as the new record guy.

From ball one, he looked calm but also intent. He went after anything loose, and somehow didn’t let the Ireland bowlers get comfortable at all. The way he struck those shots, around the park, it just felt like everything was under control.

His fifty arrived off 20 deliveries, with seven fours and two sixes. Once again, it showed why Abhishek is turning into one of India’s most troublesome batters in the shortest format.

This latest milestone made it even more eye-catching. He now has five T20I half-centuries from 20 balls or fewer, which is the highest for any batter from a Full Member side. For the young opener, that’s another major step, and the way his innings keep coming at a high strike rate, that’s already become his thing.

Just after getting to the fifty, his innings finally ended. Liam McCarthy sent him back for 50 off 20 balls, but by then India were already placed nicely in the chase.

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After that early push, India did lose a few wickets later on. Sanju Samson got bowled by Jai Moondra for 5, and Ishan Kishan made only one run before he was out to Matt Hollard.

Even captain Shreyas Iyer couldn’t really build and he was dismissed for 3 by Hollard. Still, India stayed in control, largely because the start Abhishek provided was so quick and decisive.

Then Tilak Varma, along with Washington Sundar, moved in to steady things and keep the chase ticking along. With wickets still in reserve, India stayed in a comfortable spot to finish the job and get the target.