1st T20I: Captain and Coach's Support for Youngsters is Outstanding, Claims Abhishek

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Abhishek Sharma scored a dazzling 79 runs in the T20I opener.
- He praised the freedom given to young players by captain Suryakumar Yadav.
- India chased down 133 runs in just 13 overs.
- Varun Chakaravarthy took 3 wickets for 23 runs.
- The match showcased a blend of young talent and strategic coaching.
Kolkata, Jan 22 (NationPress) Left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma, who played a remarkable innings of 79 runs to steer India to a resounding seven-wicket victory over England in the T20I series opener at the Eden Gardens, expressed his gratitude for the freedom afforded to young players by captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir, which significantly boosted his performance.
While India successfully chased down a target of 133 runs in just 13 overs, Abhishek delivered a captivating display of batting in front of a packed crowd, striking five boundaries and eight sixes during his 34-ball innings, reaching his fifty in a mere 20 balls.
With an impressive 68 out of 79 runs coming from boundaries, he played a pivotal role in securing a dominant win for India, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. "I wanted to express myself; special mention goes to the captain and coach for the tremendous freedom they’ve given us youngsters. The pitch was a bit tricky, double-paced, but our bowlers performed excellently. I thought we'd chase 160-170. Sanju and I communicate well as partners; I enjoy batting alongside him," Abhishek stated after the match.
“When I first joined the Indian team, my approach was straightforward: play like I do in the IPL. However, I have never experienced an environment quite like this, where you can truly express yourself and play your shots from the very first ball. I practice my trigger movements before the game, knowing they might bowl short, testing my patience,” he added.
The Player of the Match accolade, however, was awarded to wrist-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who weaved a web of spin to claim 3 wickets for 23 runs at a venue where he regularly competes for his IPL side, the Kolkata Knight Riders.
"I’m accustomed to pitches like this from the IPL; they favor seamers, but the length I bowl can be effective as well. I focus on keeping the ball away from their hitting zone, allowing it to grip a bit. Bowling to a batsman like Jos Buttler is certainly a challenge, but with some luck, I managed to succeed. The strategy was to generate more bounce since I can’t beat batsmen with side spin alone, only with bounce. There’s still more to improve; I’d rate myself a 7 out of 10."