The challenging pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during India’s second T20I against Australia proved a tough test for every Indian batsman. However, one player stood out amidst the struggle: young opener Abhishek Sharma. Despite wickets falling around him, Sharma displayed remarkable composure and an impressive array of strokes, crafting a fluent half-century—a lone highlight in India’s four-wicket defeat.
Following the match, former India spinner R Ashwin didn’t shy away from lauding the left-hander, confidently declaring him the next significant batting talent in Indian cricket. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin highlighted not just Abhishek’s natural flair but also his commendable eagerness to learn from the game’s greats.
“I genuinely believe the next batting superstar of India is Abhishek Sharma,” Ashwin stated. He noted that while Sharma faces a challenge, specifically in controlling his downswing, he’s actively working on it. Ashwin revealed, “I was reading somewhere that he still consults Brian Lara because Lara himself had a substantial backlift. His bat swing was magnificent, and Abhishek sought Lara’s advice on mastering that bat swing to succeed in Test cricket.”
Ashwin further elaborated on the young Punjab batsman’s continuous efforts to refine his technique. He recalled an instance in Canberra where, during a rain-washed match, Sharma was seen discussing bat swing and the pull shot with Shubman Gill. “I even have a screenshot from the previous game where he was a bit late on his pull shot. But in this match, he made that crucial adjustment. He found a way to get the ball over the top,” Ashwin observed, praising Sharma’s quick learning ability.
Sharma’s capacity to adapt to difficult conditions against top-tier bowling also impressed Ashwin. “He actually stepped out today, charged down the track, and Australia bowled exceptionally well, delivering tight lines, fuller lengths, and taking pace off the ball. Yet, facing a full delivery from a fast bowler, where you normally lack the width to freely swing your arms, he managed to open up and hit it over covers for a boundary.”
Ashwin concluded by emphasizing Abhishek’s unique combination of skill and cricketing intellect. “These are truly special abilities a player can possess. I always say, we all put in hard work, but for that hard work to truly shine, you need a touch of that God-given talent. Abhishek Sharma has that gift. He possesses the mental acuity to deeply analyze the game, and he is simply an exceptionally gifted batter. On a challenging pitch and a difficult day for India, he once again provided a beautiful demonstration of what excellent batsmanship in T20 cricket looks like.”