Abhishek Sharma, who had already made his mark with a half-century in the previous match, stepped onto the pitch with the confidence of a seasoned player. The South African bowlers, perhaps still reeling from the previous encounters, were in for a rude awakening. The moment came when Andile Simelane, attempting to disrupt Sharma’s rhythm with a slower ball, instead delivered the pitch for Sharma’s magnum opus. Stepping out, Sharma didn’t just hit the ball; he annihilated it. Over the covers, the ball soared, not just over the boundary but out of the stadium itself, a testament to Sharma’s power and timing. This wasn’t just a six; it was a statement of intent, a roar that echoed through the stadium and into the hearts of cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
The innings of Abhishek Sharma was not just about that one monumental hit. His knock was a blend of aggression and precision, accumulating runs at a pace that left South Africa’s fielders scrambling. By the time Sharma was dismissed, he had compiled 36 runs off just 18 balls, a strike rate that speaks volumes of his intent and capability. His departure did little to dampen India’s spirits, as they continued to pile on the runs, reaching a formidable 177-1 in 13 overs, showcasing their dominance in the series.

This match was more than just a game of cricket; it was a narrative of resilience, strategy, and the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. South Africa, known for their fighting spirit, found themselves outplayed not just by Sharma but by the entire Indian batting lineup. The Indian team’s performance was a masterclass in how to seize momentum and not let go, turning the Wanderers into a fortress for the evening.

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has pointed out that Abhishek Sharma has been getting out while trying to play the pull shot and he needs to rectify it soon because time is quickly running out for him. He requested Abhishek to take enough time at the start of the innings and not rush himself into playing big shots, especially when they are not favouring him.
The problem starts from the top, more with Abhishek, whose extended lean run with the bat has now snowballed into a serious concern.
Abhishek is in desperate requirement of a good outing in Centurion before the management thinks of juggling the combination.

"You got out against Bangladesh in Hyderabad and you got out similarly even for the SunRisers Hyderabad. They are going to bowl bouncers as soon as they see you. So take a single off that ball and try to score runs towards third man," Chopra said.
Abhishek was caught at short fine leg while looking to pull Gerald Coetzee after scoring just four runs in the second T20I. He was dismissed for just seven runs in the first match, caught at mid-off off Coetzee while looking to go for a big hit.
"You are getting out in the first two overs itself, which means you are going too aggressive too soon. which may have worked in the past, but since it is not working now, give yourself a little time because if this time passes, it won't come back," Chopra said.
Abhishek's last big score was against UAE in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup last month, when he scored a 24-ball 58. Since then, his scores read 34, 7, 7 and 4.