Abhishek Sharma batted valiantly in the first T20I between India and England at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, leading his team to a comfortable victory. Abhishek was the best destroyer throughout the match and played extremely freely.
After his brilliant knock, former India all-rounder Aakash Chopra compared him to Rohit Sharma, who retired from T20Is after the T20 World Cup 2024. Chopra recalled the time Rohit was praised for his devastating batting when he played in the shortest format.
Aakash hailed Abhishek for an excellent knock under pressure against a quality bowling attack. It was an important shot for the youngster who was under a lot of pressure coming into the game.
Also read: Shock! Varun Chakravarthy gives a strange assessment after heroics in 1st IND vs ENG T20I
Aakash Chopra compares Abhishek Sharma to Rohit Sharma
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra compared Abhishek Sharma to Rohit Sharma and felt it was important for him to hit in the first T20I against England. He hailed Abhishek for a brilliant innings against an outstanding bowling attack.
“Abhishek Sharma – we believe in karma, we believe in Sharma. We used to say that for Rohit. It’s too early to say the same for Abhishek, but he made Abhishek (a happy start). I thought that was important. innings,” Chopra said.
“The opposition had the right bowling – Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton. It’s a good bowling attack. You had to play well to score runs in a scenario like that. He bowled very well right from the start. He hit Mark Wood for a six, then a six over third man and a straight four,” he said.
Abhishek Sharma was aggressive from the first ball and put the English bowlers under the pump. He was especially attacking against Gus Atkinson and Adil Rashid and never stopped himself when set up.
“They could look at Yashasvi (Jaiswal)” – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra feels that Yashasvi Jaiswal could have stepped in for Abhishek Sharma given his poor performances with the bat in the last few T20Is. However, when the pressure was on him to perform, he delivered at the right time.
“Abhishek Sharma was under pressure because he was playing but not scoring many runs. The template for this team is to hit fours and sixes and maximize the powerplay, but if you get out for threes, they will just let you out,” he said. .
“They could look at Yashasvi (Jaiswal). He could do this series and no one would raise an eyebrow or bat an eyelid,” he noted.
Yashasvi Jaiswal was in India’s T20I squad even before Abhishek Sharma. Jaiswal was also in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 but did not win a game. However, he has not played any T20Is since Abhishek’s T20I debut and is only earmarked for Tests.
Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy shine for India
Abhishek Sharma hit 79 off just 34 deliveries to lead India to a massive win in the first T20I against England. He he hit 5 fours and 8 sixes during his knock. He was at his aggressive best and showcased all the innings in an entertaining knock.
Earlier in the day, India restricted England to 132 in the first innings. The Men in Blue chased down the target in just 12.5 overs with Abhishek’s superb knock. Varun Chakravarthy was named Man of the Match with 3-23 in four overs.
