"I am not greedy for him" - Aakash Chopra on Abhishek Sharma's knock in IND vs SA 2025 3rd T20I

Former India player Aakash Chopra has lauded Abhishek Sharma for playing a usual belligerent knock in the third T20I against South Africa. The analyst noted that he wouldn't be greedy and expect big scores whenever the swashbuckling opener bats.

India bowled South Africa out for 117 after asking them to bat first in the third T20I in Dharamsala on Sunday, December 14. Abhishek smashed 35 runs off 18 deliveries in the chase as the Men in Blue registered a seven-wicket win with 25 balls to spare, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Chopra noted that while he was greedy to see Shubman Gill (28 off 28) convert his start into a fifty, he doesn't have the same feeling for Abhishek.

"I am not greedy for him (Abhishek). For him, I am not thinking that his benchmark should be 50, 70, or 100 because his playing style is the most important. He gave you such a start. Where you took 16 overs to score 120, he had taken you to almost 50 in four overs," he said.

The former India opener added that he is fine as long as Abhishek is dominating the bowlers.

"He bats like that. When you play high-risk cricket, there will be chances of getting out. So my benchmark of success for him is whether he is striking the ball well, whether he is able to impose himself, and is able to dominate. If he is able to do that, it's absolutely fine," Chopra observed.

Abhishek Sharma smashed three fours and as many sixes during his 35-run knock. He was brilliantly caught by Aiden Markram while attempting a big shot off Corbin Bosch's bowling.

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"The opposing team is always scared when he comes to bat" - Aakash Chopra on Abhishek Sharma's approach

Abhishek Sharma (right) and Shubman Gill stitched together a 60-run opening-wicket partnership. [P/C: BCCI/X]

In the same discussion, Aakash Chopra noted that Abhishek Sharma instils fear in the opposition bowlers.

"35 were scored today (Sunday), he will score 135 as well, we all know that. The opposing team is always scared when he comes to bat. They become slightly meek when he comes to bat," he said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the left-handed opener will have to be judged differently.

"So you will have to change the parameter slightly for him. I am very happy with the way he has batted, and in front of him, it doesn't seem like there is any doubt, hesitation, or problem. Everything seems absolutely fine," Chopra observed.

Abhishek Sharma has smashed 1,081 runs at a strike rate of 188.98 in 31 T20I innings. His third six in Sunday's game was his 300th maximum in T20s.