Abhishek Sharma, the dynamic Indian opener, has been making waves in the T20I arena, particularly after stepping into the shoes of Rohit Sharma. His aggressive batting style has quickly established him as a key player for the Men in Blue. Fresh off aPlayer of the Match performance in the opening T20I against New Zealand in Nagpur, where he blasted 84 runs off just 35 balls, Sharma is opening up about his preparation and mindset.
Sharma acknowledged the pressure that comes with emulating Rohit Sharma's explosive starts in the powerplay overs. Speaking on 'Cricket Live', the 25-year-old revealed that the team's captain, Suryakumar Yadav, and head coach, Gautam Gambhir, have encouraged him to adopt a similar attacking approach. "Rohit bhai has done a lot for the country. There is always pressure because of the starts he used to give in the powerplay," Sharma said. "When I came into the team, the coach and captain wanted the same from me. I felt it suited my style too because I love to attack from the first few balls".
Sharma emphasized the importance of translating his net practice into match performances. "And as I said earlier as well, I've been batting really well in the nets," he noted. "It was just a matter of time when you play a few balls, bat the way I bat. And that doesn't change my identity. I think it came naturally". He further elaborated on his pre-match routines, stating, "I'm at it similarly during the net session. Played a few practice games as well. So I was feeling good".
Sharma's recent form has been outstanding, amassing 943 runs in 22 matches with an average of 44.90 and a strike rate of 196.86. This includes one century and six half-centuries, with a highest score of 135. Despite his success, Sharma remains grounded and focused on continuous improvement. "I would not say I am fully matured yet, because there is always room to improve," he said. "But I feel my job is to play aggressive cricket in the first six overs. I have been practicing a lot for that".
Recognizing the significance of adapting to different conditions, especially with the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 to be held in India, Sharma is meticulous in his preparation. "When I get a week or ten days, I keep in mind the bowlers I will face in the next series or matches," he explained. "It all comes down to how I execute those plans. For the upcoming T20 World Cup, I have been practicing for that too". He also acknowledges the importance of exploiting the pressure that main bowlers face in the initial overs, stating, "If I score runs in those overs, it helps the team follow that momentum. It also puts the bowlers under pressure".
Sharma's approach to batting is characterized by simplicity and timing, as he focuses on a limited range of shots and executing them effectively. "But it's always about me backing my shots because I don't have a lot of shots. It's just a few shots. I'm going to practice a lot and just execute it," Sharma mentioned. He shies away from unorthodox shots, preferring to let the ball come to him and rely on his impeccable timing. "If you see, I would never do range-hitting because I'm not that strong kind of guy," he said. "I feel I'm more of a timing batter".
With the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, Sharma's form is a positive sign for India as they aim to defend their title. His dedication to preparation and his aggressive mindset make him a potent force at the top of the order.
