AUS vs IND 2025: 'Abhishek Sharma is a serious talent, hopefully we get him out cheaply' - Matt Kuhnemann
“Well, hopefully Xavier Bartlett or one of the quicks, Benny Dwarshuis, can take his wicket in the first couple of overs," Matt Kuhnemann said about Abhishek Sharma.
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Australian left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann heaped praise on Abhishek Sharma, lauding the Indian opener's batting expertise and ability to go after the bowlers from the outset.
Abhishek has been in red-hot form of late, winning the Player of the Tournament award in the Asia Cup before smashing 112 runs in three innings in the ongoing five-match T20I tour of Australia. This year, the southpaw is averaging 47 in the shortest format for India and has a strike rate of 200.85.
Kuhnemann hopes that the Australian speedsters will be able to dismiss the 25-year-old with the new ball, as that would help the Mitchell Marsh-led side avert carnage inside the powerplay.
“Well, hopefully Xavier Bartlett or one of the quicks, Benny Dwarshuis, can take his wicket in the first couple of overs. He is a serious talent and goes so hard from ball one. It is going to be a great spectacle on Thursday, but hopefully the boys can get him cheaply,” Kuhnemann told cricket.com.au.
Taking wickets in the middle overs will be crucial: Kuhnemann
Kuhnemann noted how both India and Australia play a similar brand of cricket, which oozes aggressiveness. Like Abhishek and Shubman Gill, Aussie openers Travis Head and Marsh also prefer scoring runs quickly by playing with a fearless approach.
“Yeah, I think the way they are playing is sort of similar to how we are playing as well. Very explosive. The game is changing rapidly. Everyone just goes hard from ball one. Taking wickets in the middle overs will be crucial,” Kuhnemann said.
Ex-IND opener gives stunning take on Samson's 3rd T20I snub
The five-match series is interestingly poised at 1-1 after the first three games. After the first T20I was washed out, Australia won the second by four wickets. However, the Men in Blue bounced back with a comprehensive five-wicket win in Hobart to square things up. The fourth T20I is set to be played on Thursday, November 6, at the Carrara Oval in Queensland.
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