"You saw that in Abhishek Sharma's innings" - Former RCB keeper lauds Indian opener after AUS vs IND 2025 5th T20I

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) keeper Parthiv Patel has lauded Abhishek Sharma for playing intelligently in the T20I series against Australia. He noted that the left-handed opener didn't try to clear the fielders in the deep on the big Australian grounds.

Abhishek scored an unbeaten 23 off 13 deliveries in the fifth T20I against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday, November 8. However, the match didn't yield a result as inclement weather stopped proceedings when India were 52 for no loss after 4.5 overs.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Parthiv was asked about Abhishek not trying to alter his game based on what happened on the previous delivery or match in the T20I series against Australia.

"Abhishek is known for six-hitting. The one thing that was seen on this tour is that it's not like he is trying to swing blindly off every ball. I saw the maturity in how to play the field. In India, the grounds are generally small. So you have the confidence that even if there is a fielder at deep square leg, you will clear him and you will get a six," the former India keeper responded.

"However, here, if the boundary is 75 or 80 meters, it doesn't get cleared that easily. Then you have to hit shots in the pockets. You have to hit shots where the fielders aren't there. You saw that in Abhishek Sharma's innings in Melbourne and today as well. He was making room and hitting in the areas where the fielders weren't there," he added.

Abhishek Sharma was chosen as the Player of the Series. He smashed 163 runs at a strike rate of 161.38 in five innings in the five-match series.

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"There will be frustration at times" - Parthiv Patel on Abhishek Sharma's ultra-aggressive approach

Abhishek Sharma struck 18 fours and six sixes in the T20I series against Australia. [P/C: Getty]

In the same discussion, Parthiv Patel opined that Abhishek Sharma would continue to play aggressively, although his dismissals might be frustrating at times.

"He will play like this only. There will be frustration at times as to whether there was any need to hit another six when two fours and a six had already come. However, I feel he will play in that fashion only," he said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) opener has been consistent despite playing high-risk cricket.

"The day he plays 12-13 overs, India will mostly win that match because he bats with a strike rate like that. The one good thing is that he has scored more than 1,000 runs, and with this style only. So you see consistency along with high-risk, high-reward cricket in Abhishek's batting," Parthiv observed.

Abhishek Sharma has amassed 1,012 runs at a strike rate of 189.51 in 28 T20I innings. Among full-member teams, he is the quickest to 1,000 T20I runs in terms of number of balls faced.