Few players have gathered as many headlines and such amazing fanfare as India’s Abhishek Sharma. Something that is keenly highlighted by his amazing batsmanship and destructive skills as seen of lately, if you may want to add that up. In the series against the usually competitive and resolutely brilliant BlackCaps aka New Zealand, Abhishek Sharma was at the peak of his powers. He’d end the series with no fewer than 182 runs that came off just 73 deliveries. Let that sink in. Just 73 odd deliveries. Which goes on to state that while staying out there for no more than 12.1 overs, Abhishek Sharma thrashed bowlers on his way to end up just a few shy of 200 runs. This goes to explain why he’s earned the respect and plaudits from some of the game’s luminaries, such as Ricky Ponting, the great Australian captain himself.
Lavishing effusive praise on Sharma, the multiple ODI World Cup winning Tasmanian Ponting shared with much delight- Abhishek Sharma could well be the “player of the tournament” in the T20 World Cup and could collect the most runs.
Now praise notwithstanding, it appears as though there’s merit in the compliment extended by the great batter from Down Under. And that this isn’t some bland praise.
Ricky Ponting’s praise of Sharma may also be stemming from the fact that Sharma’s batting approach - as seen thus far- has been a clearly destructive and single minded one.
How come?
In the recent T20I series, the Indian left hander scored, rather blasted, his runs at a strike rate of 249. In the maiden contest itself he struck an 80 off 35.
On the whole, Sharma’s belligerent blade has ensured that he’s gone on to strike 1297 career runs in the prized format. Forget not, there are 88 sizes already.
That’s a feat that would draw praise from such distinct greats of the format such as Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Carlos Brathwaite or let’s say Mohd Nabi or the great AB himself.
