Once dismissed as a "flat-track bully", India's Abhishek Sharma has developed into one of the most destructive batsmen in T20 cricket. The 26-year-old left-hander underlined his rare talent with a blistering 113 off 38 balls against New Zealand in Wellington on Tuesday, an innings that propelled him back to the top of the world T20 rankings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A protege of former India star Yuvraj Singh, Abhishek has become the face of India's aggressive new-era batting, combining a punishing strike-rate of 196 with a sound technique that experts say sets him apart from his contemporaries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Veteran writer Sharda Ugra said India had a new cricketing idol in Abhishek, with star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the twilight of their careers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"He is already the next big thing in Indian cricket," Ugra told AFP. "I think he has just caught everyone's eye with his consistency as much as his explosive batting.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"He is the new-generation superstar."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Abhishek's latest century against New Zealand, studded with nine fours and 11 sixes, also drew praise from opposition batter Daryl Mitchell.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Some of that hitting was world-class, and that's why he is one of the best in the world at what he does," Mitchell said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"You take your hat off and say, well played."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Abhishek's knocks in different conditions has helped rubbish criticism that he can perform only on flat batting tracks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Stop saying that he can only bat on a particular pitch," former India batter Mohammad Kaif said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"He is already moving towards greatness in T20 cricket," Kaif added, calling for Abhishek to be given a chance in the 50-over format as well.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Born in the northern state of Punjab, Abhishek honed his craft under the watchful eye of Yuvraj during India's Covid-19 lockdown.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Yuvraj, also a left-handed batsman, was among the first to applaud his Wellington knock.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I can't make 100 off 30 or 34 balls. Well played sir," he wrote on X.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In 71 T20 internationals Abhishek has scored 2,267 runs with four centuries at an average of 33.33.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He is yet to play ODI or Test cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Abhishek's success comes amid fierce competition for places at the top of India's batting order, with wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also vying for opportunities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "Everybody thought Vaibhav is going to be it (next superstar) but Abhishek has come and snatched this away from him," said Ugra.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "In the sense that he has created a template which is very hard to match around the world and you cannot find a player of that quality and that consistency."<\/p>\r\n\r\n Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt believes Abhishek's batting approach gives him an edge over others.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "It's percentage cricket involving calculated risks, where the risk element is less," Butt said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "That's because chances are taken seeing the ball and the bowler's angle. It's not blind hitting, not slogging either. Just well thought-out batting."<\/p>\r\n\r\n Abhishek has risen up the ranks, having represented India in the triumphant Under-19 World Cup squad in 2018 under Rahul Dravid.<\/p>\r\n\r\n In the Indian Premier League he emerged as a star for Sunrisers Hyderabad after an initial stint with Delhi Capitals, forging a formidable opening partnership with Australia's Travis Head.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Abhishek's popularity has surged off the field as well.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\r\n- 'Not slogging' -<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n