New Delhi’s cricket circles are buzzing with excitement as former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif showers unprecedented praise on young opener Abhishek Sharma. In a recent YouTube video, Kaif declared that Sharma has outshone West Indies legend Chris Gayle in terms of consistent aggressive batting.
Kaif highlighted Sharma’s unique ability to attack from the very first ball without needing time to settle. ‘Players like him are rarely consistent. I’ve seen big names falter after one good knock. Gayle was explosive, always going for big shots, but Abhishek has taken that template further. He doesn’t need to set his eyes; he attacks straightaway. You can’t praise him enough,’ Kaif enthused.
The 25-year-old has been a revelation since his debut, amassing 1,267 runs in 35 T20 innings across 36 matches, including two centuries and eight half-centuries. This staggering record underscores India’s discovery of a genuine explosive opener.
In the ongoing five-match T20 series against New Zealand, Sharma has already notched up two fifties in the first three games. His first-innings blitz of 84 off 35 balls featured eight sixes and five fours, while in the third T20, he remained unbeaten on 68 off 20 balls with five sixes and seven boundaries, reaching his fifty in just 14 balls.
Kaif emphasized Sharma’s match-winning potential: ‘Even if he faces 12-14 balls, he scores 60-70 runs. If Abhishek is in form, India’s victory is almost guaranteed.’ As the T20 World Cup approaches, Sharma’s fearless approach could be the catalyst for India’s championship dreams, providing the perfect blend of consistency and firepower at the top.