"Criminal for Abhishek Sharma to score below 190 strike rate" - Fans praise Team India opener after quickfire 18-ball 35 in IND vs SA 2025 3rd T20I

Team India opener Abhishek Sharma once again got the side off to a blistering start in the third T20I against South Africa. The game is being played at Dharamsala on Sunday, December 14.

Bowling first, India restricted South Africa to a paltry total of 117. Walking out to open the innings with Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma ensured that the hosts had no chance to fight whatsoever. The southpaw took the attack to the bowlers from the word go. He began the chase with a six off the very first ball of the innings, pulling Lungi Ngidi over fine leg.

Abhishek showed no mercy and was in his usual attacking mode. He slammed a quickfire 35 off just 18 balls. His brilliant knock included three boundaries and as many sixes at a strike rate of 194.44.

Fans lauded the star batter for doing what he does best at the top with the bat.

"It's criminal for Abhishek Sharma to score below 190 strike rate. Bro maintains the rate. #INDvSA," a fan wrote on X.

Bash

@bashhh_36

It's criminal for Abhishek Sharma to score below 190 strike rate. Bro maintains the rate. #INDvSA

"Abhishek Sharma the superstar batter for india He starts his carrier in ipl he gets chance to open with Travis head and he did his job well He was too good that he wasn't overshadowed by Travis He never looked back after that #indvssa," another fan tweeted.

Akhil

@crickfever00

Abhishek Sharma the superstar batter for india He starts his carrier in ipl he gets chance to open with Travis head and he did his job well ​He was too good that he wasn't overshadowed by Travis ​He never looked back after that ​#indvssa

Below are some other reactions from fans on X -

Shelly

@shellyofflimits

May not be a long innings but it was beautiful to watch Abhishek Sharma back to bullying Giraffesen 😎​#INDvsSA #INDvSA

Yashraj

@underthsky0608

Abhishek Sharma & first ball sixes a love story you never get tired of ❤️

Momina 🌷

@IamMomina_19

A great, fearless innings from Abhishek Sharma…35 off 18 (3 fours and 3 sixes) with strike rate of 194 🔥​#INDvSA

Tejash

@Tejashyyyyy

Another cracking innings from Abhishek Sharma. He smashed 35 runs in just 18 balls. He even smashed six on the very first ball as well. ​Abhi is just too good in the T20i; he is continuously giving a good start to the Indian team in almost every game 🔥

Radhakishan Jat

@rkjat65

Abhishek Sharma wakes up and chooses violence! 🔨🔥 ​He appears on this list THREE times in 2025 alone! The definition of 'intent' right from ball one. ​Hitting the first ball of the innings for six is becoming his trademark! 🏏🇮🇳 ​#AbhishekSharma #TeamIndia #T20I #

Shivgb

@IndiaGiftb67734

Abhishek Sharma should still learn many things...​But on his day match is one sided ...​#indvssa #Abhisheksharma

India raced their way to 68/1 in the powerplay, chasing a low total following Abhishek's excellent start. His attacking knock indeed ensured it would be a one-sided affair for the hosts.

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Confident knock for Abhishek Sharma after first two T20Is

Abhishek Sharma had scored a 12-ball 17 in the first T20I against South Africa and an 8-ball 17 in the second game. While he did get good starts, he was unable to bat longer. However, his knock in the third T20I would give him confidence for the remainder of the series.

Improving on his performance in the first two games, it would be fair to say that one can expect a big show from him in the coming matches. Heading into the T20 World Cup in 2026, India will want him to maintain his form.

In 32 T20Is so far, the left-hander has scored 1081 runs at an average of 36.03 and a strike rate of 188.98 with two hundreds and six half-centuries.