India has won the toss and elected to bowl first in the series-opening T20 against England's cricketers in Kolkata.

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,

Opener Abhishek Sharma's sensational power-hitting secured India's comprehensive seven-wicket victory against England in the opening T20 International at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday. The left-hander clobbered eight sixes and five fours in his scintillating 79 off 34 balls as India chased down a modest 133-run target in 12.

India defeated England by seven wickets in the first T20I match in Kolkata. Abhishek Sharma's 79-run innings was pivotal in chasing down England's total of 132.

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.

India made short work of the modest target that England could set at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday, going past the visitors’ below-par 132 in the 13th over with seven wickets to spare. Victory gave Suryakumar Yadav & Co a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.