'Runs aren't scored as fast even in book cricket' - Former India wicketkeeper on Abhishek Sharma’s impact

Former India wicketkeeper batter Parthiv Patel has praised Abhishek Sharma after the left-hander’s splendid half-century in the third T20I against New Zealand. The former cricketer highlighted how Abhishek’s aggressive intent is not just about scoring quickly, but about deflating the opposition.

India was set a modest target of 154 in Guwahati on Sunday, January 25, but what followed was a chase that barely felt like a contest. Abhishek smashed an unbeaten 68 off just 20 deliveries, along with the captain Suryakumar Yadav who made 57 off 26 deliveries powering India to an emphatic eight-wicket victory with 10 overs to spare.

Parthiv pointed out that Abhishek’s impact becomes decisive the longer he stays at the crease, suggesting that even a brief stay is enough to drain the opposition's belief.

"Abhishek Sharma played only 20 balls here, but if he plays 30 balls, the other team won't have any chance. He scored nearly 70 runs off 20 balls here. He batted extremely well today (Sunday), but in the normal course of the game, if he plays 30 balls, he will score 60-70 runs for sure," the former India wicketkeeper-batter said during a discussion on Star Sports,

Elaborating his point, Parthiv underlined how Abhishek’s fearless approach forces bowlers into defensive decision-making, often leading them straight into trouble.

"If a batter bats a strike rate of over 200, then it's very difficult for any team to make a comeback, and he has that kind of ability. He is forcing the bowlers to bowl where he wants them to bowl, and that is because of the fear. If a bowler thinks about bowling a slower ball outside the off-stump, he will use his feet and hit," he added.

Parthiv also observed that the pressure Abhishek creates leads to a lot of errors, noting how the youngster scores at a pace that almost defies cricketing norms.

"If a fast bowler bowls a bouncer, he can come inside the line and hit a six. He has those kinds of shots all around the ground. Mistakes are bound to happen when you bowl under pressure. Runs aren't scored as fast even in book cricket," he observed.

In the chase, Abhishek first added 53 runs for the second wicket with Ishan Kishan (28 off 13) after Sanju Samson was dismissed for a golden duck by Matt Henry on the very first ball of the second innings. He then stitched an unbeaten 102-run partnership for the third wicket with Indian captain Suryakumar, sealing the contest in ruthless fashion.

The discussion later turned technical, with Gujarat Titans's assistant coach addressing Abhishek’s tendency to move outside the leg stump and access the off side a trait that has unsettled bowlers throughout the series.

"Since he is stepping out while moving away from the stumps, the general plan for him is to bowl full because the stumps are getting exposed. However, you need to see how low he stays and keep his eyes on the ball. Along with stepping out, your head position is extremely important," he responded.

Parthiv stressed that Abhishek’s success is rooted in clarity of thought as much as technical strength.

"If your head moves, you won't see the ball properly. A strong base and a steady head are his keys. That's why you are seeing that control. The most important thing is that he is reading the bowler's mind very well. When you don't have any fear, you don't look at the fielders, as you have to step out and hit a six only. Clarity of thought, and along with that, he has an extremely strong technique," Parthiv observed.

Abhishek reached his half-century in just 14 balls, the second-fastest by an Indian in T20 internationals. Only Yuvraj Singh has reached there quicker, having brought up a 12-ball half-century during India’s iconic 2007 T20 World Cup clash against England.