Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Parthiv Patel has lavished praise on Abhishek Sharma after India registered a comprehensive eight-wicket win against New Zealand at Guwahati on Sunday. Sharma scored a blistering knock of 68 runs off just 20 balls to help India chase down 154 runs in 10 overs.
The left-hander smashed seven fours and five sixes in his whirlwind knock. The youngster completed his fifty off just 14 balls, the second fastest T20I half-century for India after his mentor Yuvraj Singh, who scored a 12-ball fifty against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup.
“Abhishek Sharma played only 20 balls here, but if he plays 30 balls, the other team won’t have any chance. He scored nearly 70 runs off 20 balls here. He batted extremely well today (Sunday), but in the normal course of the game, if he plays 30 balls, he will score 60-70 runs for sure,” Parthiv Patel said on Star Sports.
“If a batter bats a strike rate of over 200, then it’s very difficult for any team to make a comeback, and he has that kind of ability. He is forcing the bowlers to bowl where he wants them to bowl, and that is because of the fear. If a bowler thinks about bowling a slower ball outside the off-stump, he will use his feet and hit,” he added.
Patel went to even say that Abhishek is scoring runs faster than book cricket.
“If a fast bowler bowls a bouncer, he can come inside the line and hit a six. He has those kind of shots all around the ground. Mistakes are bound to happen when you bowl under pressure. Runs aren’t scored as fast even in book cricket,” he observed.
Abhishek has been dancing down the track against the fast bowlers and has consistently hit the opposition bowlers to the off-side. Patel said a batter’s head position is crucial when he is advancing down the pitch.
“Since he is stepping out while moving away from the stumps, the general plan for him is to bowl full because the stumps are getting exposed. However, you need to see how low he stays and keeps his eyes on the ball. Along with stepping out, your head position is extremely important,” he responded.
Earlier in the series opener against the Kiwis, Sharma scored a blistering knock of 84 runs off just 35 balls.
The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
