Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer has heaped praise on Abhishek Sharma after India secured a six-wicket win against New Zealand in the third T20I at the Hnry Stadium, Wellington, on Tuesday. Jaffer said Sharma is very close to legendary Chris Gayle’s level and backed him to surpass the former West Indies batter in the shortest format.
Abhishek completed his fifty off just 15 balls as he was able to hit the ground running in the Powerplay overs, in which India posted 118 runs.
The left-hander eventually went on to score a magnum opus knock of 113 runs off 38 balls, including nine fours and 11 sixes. This is Abhishek’s fourth T20I century as he once again proved his mettle.
The southpaw added 133 runs off just 43 balls with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who scored 45 runs off just 19 balls, for the opening alliance.
Wasim Jaffer said on his YouTube Channel, “He can definitely do it, and I think he is very close to that level. Of course, Chris Gayle had a long and illustrious career, while Abhishek Sharma hasn’t been around for that long. But I think Abhishek will certainly get close to him and may even surpass him because his six-hitting ability is outstanding. He is also technically very sound.”
“It’s not as if he just swings the bat wildly. He can hit over cover, play the pull shot, and if the bowlers pitch the ball up, he can hit it straight down the ground. So, he doesn’t rely on just one area to score runs. Technically, he is very compact as well. I think this youngster will go a long way. In T20 cricket, he is already creating fear in the minds of bowlers, and I believe he will continue to do so in the future,” he added.
The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday.
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