Abhishek Sharma scored a 20-ball half-century as India beat England by seven wickets Wednesday in the first T20 of their five-match series. India's opener smacked five fours and eight sixes, scoring 79 off 34 balls,

What was Abhishek's reward after the match? A standing ovation from a capacity Eden Gardens aside, praise from his mentor Yuvraj, albeit in a cheeky way.

Following a varied beginning to his international cricket journey, Abhishek Sharma proved the selection committee, along with Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav's unwavering confidence in him, during the first T20I match between India and England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday,

India dominated in the first T20I against England, winning by seven wickets. Abhishek Sharma's explosive 79 off 34 balls facilitated the chase of 133 with ease. Earlier, Indian spinners restricted England to 132,

Abhishek Sharma engineered an explosive performance and delivered India's second-fastest fifty for India against England (in terms of balls faced) in the T20I format at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Indian left-handers bashing English bowlers in the T20I format has been a love affair that became famous with Yuvraj Singh's exploits in the 2007 T20 World Cup.

Abhishek Sharma's explosive knock of 79 runs off just 34 balls dismantled England's bowling attack, guiding India to a dominant victory. Chasing the 132-run target with ease, India wrapped up the match in under 13 overs with 7 wickets in hand.

Abhishek Sharma led an outstanding effort and hit India's second-fastest fifty (in terms of balls faced) against England in the Twenty20 International format at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.The love affair between Indian left-handers and English bowlers in the Twenty20 International format gained notoriety thanks to Yuvraj Singh's performances during the 2007 T20 World Cup.

Abhishek Sharma. (Source - Getty Images) is set to partner with Sanju Samson at the top of the order in India's five-match T20I series against England. He was preferred over the swashbuckling Yashasvi Jaiswal for the 20-over leg of the white-ball series.