Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill rewrote the record books on Sunday in the Asia Cup Super Four clash against Pakistan, putting together India’s highest opening partnership against their rivals in T20Is. The left-right combination blazed away to a 105-run stand, bettering the previous best of 77 between Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane in 2012. On that occasion, Gambhir had scored 43 off 41 balls and Rahane made 42 off 31, but their effort came in a losing cause as Pakistan chased down 134 with two balls to spare. In Dubai, Abhishek and Gill gave India an explosive start that showed no signs of slowing down. They crossed the 100-run mark with ease, dominating Pakistan’s attack in the Powerplay and well after. However, the partnership ended in the 10th over. Gill, who needed attention from the physio and had to take a small break, seemed to lose rhythm once play resumed. He was eventually clean bowled by Faheem Ashraf on 47 off 28 deliveries, a knock that had eight fours and at a strike rate of 167.86.When India lost its first wicket, the score was 105/1 in 9.5 overs, with Abhishek still going strong on 57 off 31 balls at a strike rate of 183.87. Earlier in the day, Pakistan had posted 171/5 in their 20 overs, built around Sahibzada Farhan’s 58 and supported by cameos from Faheem Ashraf and Salman Agha. For India, Shivam Dube picked up two wickets while Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya also struck.
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Who do you think played a more crucial role in the partnership?
The record stand between Abhishek and Gill not only bettered more than a decade-old mark but also provided India with the ideal base in the pursuit of 172.
