India defeated Zimbabwe by 100 runs in the second T20I to level the five-match series 1-1 on Sunday at Harare Sports Club.
The hosts managed only 134 in reply to India's 234/2 which was backed up by Abhishek Sharma's century.
The 24-year-old announced himself in only his second international innings and registered a century. He smoked seven fours and eight sixes in a 47-ball knock.
The left-handed batter completed his century with three consecutive sixes, scoring the first 50 runs in 33 balls and the remaining 50 in just 13.
Abhishek, 23 years and 307 days, joined an elite list of Indian batters to score a century in T20Is at a young age. He is just behind Suresh Raina (23 years, 156 days), Shubman Gill (23 years, 146 days) and Yashashvi Jaiswal (21 years, 279 days) as the youngest Indian batter to score a century.
Furthermore, he also became the fourth fastest Indian batter to score a T20I century after Rohit Sharma (35 balls), Suryakumar Yadav (45), KL Rahul (46).
He paired with Gaikwad to add 137 runs for the second wicket/ Gaikwas also slammed not out 47-ball 77 with the help of a six and 11 fours.
Meanwhile, Rinku Singh played a superb 22-ball 48* to take India to a big total.
Zimbabwe had a blistering start to the chase after the dismissal of Innocent Kaia in the first over with Wesley Madhevere (43) and Brian Bennett (36) playing their shots freely.
However, Indian bowlers stamped their authority in the middle overs and at the back of the innings.
Only Luke Jongwe minimised the deficit with 26-ball 33. Pacers Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar picked three wickets each while Ravi Bishnoi took two.
Remember, Zimbabwe thumped India by 13 runs in the first T20I on Saturday.
India vs Zimbabwe remaining T20I schedule
3rd T20I- July 10
4th T20I- July 13
5th T20I- July 14
