As Team India gears up for the second T20I against New Zealand, Abhishek Sharma shared insights into his batting approach, inspired by former captain Rohit Sharma. The left-handed opener expressed his goal of providing a strong start for his team.
“I wouldn’t claim to be fully matured yet; there’s always room for growth. However, my focus is on playing aggressive cricket during the initial overs. I’ve been honing this aspect of my game. If I can set a positive tone early on, it helps the entire team build momentum. That’s my mindset,” Sharma explained during a segment on ‘Cricket Live.’
He also reminisced about his early days in the national squad when both the coach and captain encouraged him to adopt the attacking mindset that Rohit exemplifies in T20s.
“Rohit bhai has contributed immensely to Indian cricket. There’s always an expectation, given the explosive starts he provides in the powerplay. When I joined the team, the coach and captain wanted me to replicate that approach. It resonated with my natural inclination to attack from the outset. I’m delighted to follow in Rohit bhai’s footsteps and aim to perform well for India,” he mentioned.
Abhishek elaborated on his preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2026 and what he focuses on during net practice.
“When I have a week or ten days to prepare, I consider the bowlers I’ll face in the forthcoming matches. It’s all about executing those strategies effectively. For the T20 World Cup, I’ve been training specifically for that. Playing across India in various conditions against different teams means thorough preparation is crucial,” said the 25-year-old cricketer.
“I believe in maintaining this aggressive style since most teams utilize their key bowlers during the initial overs. Scoring runs in those phases not only benefits our momentum but also adds pressure on the bowlers. Once that pressure mounts, I can effectively put my plan into action,” he added.
The second T20I match between Team India and New Zealand is set to take place at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Raipur this Friday.
(With ANI Inputs)