Former Australian wicket-keeper bat Brad Haddin showered praise on the duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Abhishek Sharma after the T20 World Cup 2026 final. After India was put into bat by New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, Sharma gave a solid start to the team.
Abhishek smashed 52 runs off just 21 balls and added 98 runs for the opening alliance with Sanju Samson. The Indian openers were able to put 92 runs in the Powerplay overs. There was a lot of pressure on the left-hander as he went through a rough patch in the T20I showpiece, but delivered in the all-important final.
On the other hand, Bumrah returned with impressive figures of 4-15 in his quota of four overs and was awarded Player of the Match after India registered a comprehensive 96-run win over the Kiwis in the final of the T20 World Cup.
The ace fast bowler took 14 wickets in the tournament at an average of 12.43 and a splendid economy rate of 6.21, which was the best for any bowler.
“I think the one thing with this Indian team, is tournament play is about understanding the right time to peak, and that is exactly what India did come the final. You look at the way Bumrah played, you want your superstars to own those moments,” Brad Haddin said on the Willow Talk Cricket Podcast.
“I’m a huge fan of Abhishek, and there was a lot of talk about his position throughout the tournament. Got a few ducks in the pool games, and all of a sudden, you think he is under pressure, but they are the guys you want in the big moments, because they are rascals and they walk into the fire. That is what Abhishek does, he puts pressure on the opposition, and the way that he went out in that final set up the game,” he added.
Bumrah will next play for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026, whereas Sharma will represent Sunrisers Hyderabad.
















