Shashank Kishore
`There will be more miracles going forward,` Abhishek Sharma says of the India T20I team
India`s opening batsman, Abhishek Sharma, expressed contentment with his measured progression into the national cricket squad. Unlike some of his peers from the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, such as Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw, who experienced a quicker promotion, Sharma believes his slower, more arduous path provided invaluable lessons he might have otherwise missed.
“My journey has had its share of highs and lows,” Sharma remarked after being named Player of the Tournament at the Asia Cup. “While some players achieve selection with ease, others face greater challenges. I genuinely believe that this period of playing domestic cricket was essential. Had I reached the national team too quickly, I wouldn`t have acquired certain critical insights.”
While Shaw debuted for the national Test team in 2018 and Gill made his breakthrough in early 2019, Sharma`s pivotal moment arrived later, in 2021, following the pandemic. During this time, under the mentorship of Yuvraj Singh, he transformed significantly. He evolved from a middle-order finisher and part-time left-arm spinner into a formidable opening batsman, renowned for his enhanced power-hitting capabilities.
Sharma concluded the Asia Cup as the leading run-scorer, accumulating an impressive 314 runs across seven innings, including three consecutive half-centuries leading up to the final. This placed him significantly ahead of Pathum Nissanka, who was second with 261 runs.
His aggressive approach during the powerplay, particularly his dominant performances against Shaheen Shah Afridi in consecutive matches against Pakistan, garnered widespread praise. Sharma attributed this success to the freedom granted by the team management. His consistent form strongly positions him as India`s primary opener as the team prepares to defend its T20 World Cup title.
“Since joining the national team, I haven`t perceived any match as a `pressure match.` We approach every game with the same level of preparation,” he stated. “Suryakumar Yadav (Surya bhai) and Gautam Gambhir (GG bhai) instilled confidence in me. In a high-risk game, failures are inevitable. However, their unwavering support has enabled me to play my natural game.”
Sharma emphasized that this aggressive batting philosophy has been embraced by the entire team and will be a cornerstone of their future strategy. “Such team support is crucial,” he added. “We`ve committed to playing this brand of assertive cricket from the outset. We will maintain this approach regardless of the opponent.”
“I`ve had more time to hone various aspects of my game, and I`ve dedicated considerable effort to these areas,” Sharma concluded. “I believe this is merely the beginning for the team, and we can expect many more remarkable achievements ahead.”
