Paras Mhambrey, India’s former bowling coach, isn’t surprised by Abhishek Sharma’s meteoric rise. The opener’s precise game plan and confusion-free decisions mark him as a mature force, naturally slotting into the senior side pre-2026 T20 World Cup.
Abhishek’s numbers since July 2024 are elite: 1,297 T20I runs in 37 games, 10 fifties (a record), 88 sixes (most among top nations), and 195 strike rate – best for 1,000+ run makers.
Spotting genius early, Mhambrey mentored him in the 2018 U-19 World Cup-winning squad. ‘At 17, he was tiny but timed beautifully. Development was guaranteed,’ he reminisced. Rahul Dravid shares the sentiment.
Abhishek’s hallmark: blistering starts. He dominates pacers instantly with cover and point boundaries, radiating confidence. Versus spin, he’s ruthless, smashing sixes routinely. ‘Smart play – crease mastery, angles, clarity – sets him apart,’ Mhambrey emphasized.
Opening conundrum delights India: Ishan Kishan or Sanju Samson with Abhishek? Both aggressors. ‘Powerplay pressure is immense when they attack. India chases 10-13 runs/over aggressively,’ he said.
This depth terrifies rivals, handing India a psychological edge in T20 battles ahead.