Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on Abhishek Sharma's explosive innings in the first T20I against New Zealand, highlighting the significance of Sharma's aggressive approach. India defeated New Zealand by 48 runs in the opening match of the five-match series, with Sharma's 84 off 35 balls setting the tone for India's imposing total of 238/7.

Gavaskar emphasized that Sharma's approach to batting was crucial in টিhe context of T20 cricket. According to Gavaskar, the key is not necessarily about scoring more runs than the other batter, but about utilizing the same number of balls to greater effect. This philosophy underscores the importance of strike rate and maximizing scoring opportunities in the limited-over format.

Sharma's innings was a masterclass in this approach. After India were put in to bat first, the young opener's fearless strokeplay immediately put the New Zealand bowlers under pressure. He reached his fifty in just 22 balls and ultimately scored 84 runs off 35 deliveries, including five 4s and eight 6s, with a stunning strike rate of 240.00. This aggressive intent ensured that India seized the momentum early in the innings.

Sharma's knock was not only entertaining but also record-breaking. He broke the record of West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell to become the fastest player to reach 5,000 runs in the shortest format in terms of deliveries. Sharma reached the milestone in 2,988 deliveries, while Russell took 2,942 balls to get to 5,000 T20I runs. Additionally, Sharma's 22-ball half-century in the match marked the quickest fifty in terms of balls faced by an Indian player against New Zealand in a T20, surpassing KL Rahul (23 balls).

Rinku Singh's late fireworks, scoring an unbeaten 44 off 20 balls, further propelled India to their highest T20I score against New Zealand. In response, New Zealand struggled to keep up with the required run rate, eventually falling short despite Glenn Phillips's impressive 78 off 40 balls.

Gavaskar's analysis highlights a critical aspect of T20 cricket: the ability to score rapidly and efficiently. Sharma's innings exemplified this, providing India with a significant advantage and ultimately contributing to their victory. With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, Sharma's form is a positive sign for India as they aim to defend their title.