 "Abhishek Sharma has quickly cemented himself as India's first-choice opener in T20Is since making his debut for India in Zimbabwe last year. Reuters")
Abhishek Sharma has enjoyed a red-hot run in international cricket, albeit only in Twenty20 Internationals so far, since he made his debut for India during the tour of Zimbabwe last year. The southpaw has gone from strength to strength in the 15 months that have passed by since his debut, and delivered his best performance yet in Indian colours in the Asia Cup last month.
The 25-year-old, who opens for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, had collected 312 runs in the continental tournament – which returned to the 20-over format this year – at an average of 44.86 and an unbelievable strike rate of 200. That included a hat-trick of half-centuries during the Super 4s, including 74 in the second of India’s three meetings against arch-rivals Pakistan .
The kind of form that Abhishek is in at the moment, it would take something special for the opposition to keep him quiet during the powerplay, or for a bowler to get rid of him early in the innings. And then there’s former Pakistan pacer Ihsanullah, who has dismissed the southpaw’s ability with the bat and has even claimed that he wouldn’t last six deliveries from him – possibly getting dismissed in three.
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“Abhishek Sharma mere samne 6 ball se zyada nahi tik payenga. Main usse teen ball mein out kar doonga (Abhishek Sharma won’t last more than six balls against me. I’ll dismiss him in just three balls),” Ihsanullah said in a viral clip that has been doing the rounds on social media recently.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe 23-year-old pacer who hails from the Swat region in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has so far represented his nation in four T20Is and a solitary ODI – all of them in 2023.
He had also made headlines for his performance for Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League that year, collecting 22 wickets including a haul of 5/12, playing a major role in helping the Sultans reach the final that year. Ihsanullah is also known for hitting speeds in excess of 145 kmph, even going past 150 on a couple of occasions.
Abhishek, who had been adjudged the Player of the Tournament in the Asia Cup after India defeated Pakistan in the final , has decimated some of the best bowlers in the world so far in his career, including Pakistan’s ‘premier fast bowler’ Shaheen Shah Afridi. And though his pace will certainly present a challenge, getting Abhishek out in just three deliveries in his current form will certainly be a lot easier said for Ihsanullah than done.