Rohit Sharma Lauds Abhishek Sharma for His Consistent Dominance Ahead of T20 World Cup

Abhishek Sharma’s seven under-25-ball T20I fifties are the most by a batter in the format, surpassing Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma's records.

Rohit Sharma Lauds Abhishek Sharma for His Consistent Dominance Ahead of T20 World Cup

Rohit Sharma praised Abhishek Sharma's big-hitting abilities. (via India Today)

Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma praised Abhishek Sharma for his shot selection and abilities leading up to the 2026 T20 World Cup. Markedly, in his return to the Indian team after a month-long break, Abhishek Sharma scored 84 runs off just 35 balls against New Zealand.

Abhishek Sharma, currently ranked as the world’s no.1 T20I batter, has consistently delivered runs since his debut for India in 2024. In the 34 T20Is, he has accumulated 1,199 runs at an average of 37.47 and a blistering strike-rate of 190.93, including seven fifties and two hundreds. 2025 was particularly fruitful for the all-rounder, as he amassed a staggering 859 runs in 21 T20Is, alongside a 439-run season with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.

He smashed another 50+ score in the first T20I between India and New Zealand, at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. The young opener scored 84 runs off 35 balls, including five fours and eight sixes. Abhishek Sharma got to his half-century in a matter of just 22 deliveries, thus becoming the fastest Indian to score a fifty against New Zealand in a T20I. He went past KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma’s records, both of whom achieved the feat in 23 balls. 

The left-hander showed no mercy in hitting the Kiwi bowlers all around the ground, helping India to a massive 238-run first innings total. His power-hitting seemed to captivate everyone, including Rohit Sharma, whom the 25-year-old effectively replaced in the Indian T20I team following the ex-India captain’s retirement in 2024. The 38-year-old had previously declared Abhishek Sharma his favorite cricketer in the world.

In a recent conversation on Star Sports, Rohit Sharma was questioned by Jatin Sapru about Abhishek Sharma, and the transfer of the baton from ‘one Sharma to the other’. To this, the veteran Indian icon responded with high praise.

Speaking just ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, Rohit Sharma highlighted Abhishek Sharma’s outstanding approach, noting that the youngster avoids needless, uncanny shots and hits consistently at a set rate and intensity.

I like what Abhishek Sharma is doing. His batting is very calculated plays at extra cover, inside the line, deep midwicket, even fine leg. He strikes consistently with pace and plays for impact at the top. That early platform wins you games.

At the end of the first T20I against New Zealand, Abhishek Sharma also set a new record by becoming the fastest batter, in terms of balls faced, to complete T20 5,000 runs. He reached this milestone in a record 2,898 balls, surpassing the previous record held by Andre Russell (2,942 balls).

Abhishek Sharma stars, as India overpower New Zealand in Nagpur to kick off T20I campaign

The Men in Blue suffered a setback after losing the ODI series to New Zealand 1-2, but they appear to be heading in the right direction in the T20I series. India won the first T20I of the five-match series against the Blackcaps, with Abhishek Sharma earning the POTM award.

Abhishek Sharma vs. New Zealand
Abhishek Sharma won POTM award in the first T20I between India and New Zealand. (via News 18)

After winning the toss at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur, New Zealand chose to bowl first. India quickly lost early wickets, with Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan dismissed for 10 and 8 runs, respectively. However, Abhishek Sharma held his ground, smashing 84 runs off only 35 balls and building a 99-run third-wicket partnership with captain Suryakumar Yadav, who contributed 32 off 22 balls.

In the final overs, Rinku Singh smashed a quickfire 44 runs off 20 balls, helping India reach a huge first-innings total of 238/7. In their chase, the Kiwis lost early wickets, but Glenn Phillips anchored the innings for a long time, scoring 78 runs off 40 balls to keep his team in the game. Mark Chapman (39 off 24 balls) also contributed, but the visitors ultimately finished at 190/7, falling short of the target by 48 runs.

In bowling, Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson each picked up two wickets during the first innings for New Zealand. For the victorious Indian side, Varun Chakravarthy and Shivam Dube were the standout bowlers, both finishing with two wickets each.

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