New Delhi, Jan 23 (NationPress) India’s left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma has stated that he has based his attacking style on Rohit Sharma's impressive performances during powerplays, expressing his enthusiasm to play aggressively for the team ahead of the Men’s T20 World Cup, which kicks off on February 7.

"Rohit bhai has contributed immensely to the country. There is always a level of pressure due to the solid starts he provides in the powerplay. When I joined the team, both the coach and the captain sought similar results from me. This approach aligns with my own style, as I enjoy playing aggressively right from the start. I believe I have been following in Rohit bhai's footsteps, and I am thrilled to contribute to India in this manner," Abhishek shared with JioStar.

Abhishek delivered a match-winning score of 84 in the opening T20I against New Zealand in Nagpur, emphasizing the clarity of his role at the top of the batting order. "I wouldn’t claim to be fully matured yet, as there’s always room for improvement," he remarked.

"My job is to play aggressive cricket during the first six overs. I have been practicing extensively for this. I know that if I can provide a strong start or demonstrate positive intent early on, it sets a momentum that the team can carry forward. That’s always at the forefront of my mind," he explained.

He detailed how he tailors his training to excel against particular opponents. "To showcase aggression and intent, I need to practice in a specific way. That’s what I consistently do before matches. When I have a week or ten days, I focus on the bowlers I will face in upcoming series or matches."

"Ultimately, it’s about executing those strategies. For the upcoming T20 World Cup, I have been preparing accordingly. I understand that we will compete across various conditions in India against different teams, so preparation is crucial," he added.

"I believe it’s essential to play this way because most teams have their primary bowlers operating in the opening overs. If I can score runs during these overs, it aids the team in maintaining that momentum. It also places pressure on the bowlers, which allows me to execute my game plan effectively," he elaborated.

Abhishek also touched upon a technical adjustment in his batting style. "I have always maintained a high grip on my bat. The only modification I made was to my back lift. I previously kept it lower, but now I raise it above my waist to ensure a smoother flow. When it was low, I was arriving late on several deliveries. So, I practiced that adjustment. However, the back lift and grip remain natural for me."

He concluded by discussing his practice routine, which simulates match conditions to prepare for various scenarios. "Preparation is key. I try to replicate the conditions by having similar bowlers bowl to me in the nets. For each bowler on the opposing team, I find someone comparable to practice against.

"I instruct them to bowl out-swingers, in-swingers, and to use the new ball. I also request them to adjust the field placements. I understand that going into the World Cup and any match, bowlers won’t give me much pace. I recognized this in my recent matches, so I’ve been working on my adaptability. If you aim to play aggressively, you must always be ready for diverse situations," he advised.