Does Abhishek Sharma Remind Us of Jayasuriya with His Intimidating Style?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Uthappa's comparison emphasizes Sharma's potential.
- Sharma's aggressive batting is reminiscent of Jayasuriya.
- Effective captaincy plays a crucial role in team performance.
- Sharma's ability to intimidate bowlers highlights his prowess.
- India's bowling attack was dominant in the recent match.
New Delhi, Dec 15 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa expressed profound admiration for opener Abhishek Sharma, drawing a parallel to the legendary Sri Lankan batsman Sanath Jayasuriya. This comparison follows Abhishek's explosive innings that played a crucial role in the team's victory against South Africa during the third T20I.
The Indian squad triumphed over the Proteas by seven wickets at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala, taking a 2-1 lead in the series.
The Indian bowling lineup was exceptional, with each bowler claiming at least one wicket, limiting the opponents to a mere 117 runs in 20 overs. Abhishek and the top-order batsmen made the chase of 118 runs appear effortless, securing a decisive win for India.
On JioStar, Uthappa analyzed Abhishek Sharma's confidence at the top of the order, stating, “Even before this series, he was dominating teams in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. It was clear he was in excellent form.”
“The first ball from Lungi Ngidi was pivotal for him. After that, he was unstoppable. He recognized they were trying to constrain him with precise lengths on middle and leg stump, but when they made a mistake, he was ready to capitalize,” he continued.
Uthappa also highlighted Abhishek’s prowess in hitting sixes, describing him as a ‘powerful and dynamic’ batsman. He drew a comparison to the Sri Lankan icon Jayasuriya, emphasizing that such batting instills fear and intimidation in bowlers, a hallmark of players in exceptional form.
“He has already smashed over 300 sixes in T20 cricket, showcasing what a powerful and dynamic batsman he is. In fact, he reminds me of Sanath Jayasuriya—an embodiment of dominance as an opening batsman. This kind of performance instills intimidation and fear in bowlers, something rarely seen unless players are in blistering form.
“Despite his youth, he has had an outstanding year. Opponents are scheming to bowl in areas where he struggles, yet he seems to always have answers. Such proactive thinking is truly impressive,” he remarked.
Uthappa also commended captain Suryakumar Yadav, noting that his management of bowlers was well-timed and exhibited “astute captaincy”.
“Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to extend the spells of both fast bowlers was clever. He had faith in Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya to handle any tasks later if needed. The way he managed and rotated the bowlers was exceptionally well timed; it was indeed astute captaincy,” Uthappa concluded.