Dynamic Indian opener Abhishek Sharma revealed that he has adopted the bold T20I approach pioneered by former captain Rohit Sharma, with encouragement from head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav. Since making his T20I debut in July 2024, Abhishek’s high-octane batting style has propelled him to the top of the ICC rankings for batters in this format. In his 34 matches, he has amassed 1199 runs, including two centuries and seven fifties, boasting an impressive strike rate of 190.92.
“Rohit bhai has contributed immensely to Indian cricket. There’s always pressure stemming from the explosive starts he provided in Powerplays,” Abhishek shared with JioHotstar, reflecting on Rohit’s impact on his game. “When I joined the team, both the coach and captain encouraged me to take a similar approach. It aligns perfectly with my aggressive mindset, as I thrive on attacking from the outset. Following in Rohit bhai’s footsteps has been fulfilling, and I’m thrilled to contribute to India’s success in this way.”
While acknowledging that there’s always room for growth, Abhishek feels confident in his role. “I wouldn’t claim to be completely mature yet, as continuous improvement is essential. However, I understand my responsibility is to play aggressively during the first six overs. I’ve been putting in a lot of practice toward that goal. If I can provide a strong start or demonstrate intent early on, it sets a positive tone for the team, and that’s always on my mind,” he explained.