NEW DELHI – Young Indian opener Abhishek Sharma is intentionally emulating the aggressive batting style of former captain Rohit Sharma. This approach comes with the full backing of India's head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav. Sharma stated his goal is to attack bowlers early, a strategy that aligns with his natural game. He recently demonstrated this by smashing 84 runs off 35 balls against New Zealand in a T20 International on January 21, 2026.
Embracing the Attacking Mindset
Abhishek Sharma, at 25 years old, has openly embraced his role as an aggressive opener for India. He believes his job is to play fearless cricket during the powerplay overs. Sharma noted he loves to attack from the first few balls, finding this style suits him well. His impressive performance has seen him climb to the number one spot in the ICC T20I batting rankings. In 34 T20 International matches, he has scored 1199 runs, including two centuries and seven half-centuries, at a striking rate of 190.92.[timesofindia+5]
Sharma's recent 84-run knock against New Zealand in the first T20I was a testament to his aggressive intent. His innings featured five fours and eight sixes, powering India to a strong total. He also became the fastest batter to reach 5000 T20 runs on January 21, 2026, surpassing Chris Gayle's record. This rapid scoring ability has made him a key player for the Indian team.[newindianexpress+5]
Gambhir and Suryakumar's Endorsement
India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has been a vocal supporter of Abhishek Sharma's fearless approach. Gambhir praised Sharma's breathtaking century of 135 runs off just 54 balls against England on February 2, 2025. He called it the "best T20I hundred" he has ever witnessed, especially noting the quality of the opposition's pace attack, which included Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. Gambhir emphasized the team's commitment to playing fearless cricket and backing aggressive players like Abhishek.[indiatoday+3]
Captain Suryakumar Yadav has also expressed his confidence in Sharma. Suryakumar has lauded Abhishek's meticulous preparation and his ability to adapt to different match situations. He once playfully remarked, "Kabhi kabhi sher ghaas bhi khaa le toh chalega," meaning it is acceptable if the 'lion' (Abhishek) sometimes plays a slower innings, highlighting his appreciation for Sharma's adaptability. Both Gambhir and Suryakumar have encouraged Sharma to replicate the pressure-building starts that Rohit Sharma provided during his time as an opener.[sports+4]
The Rohit Sharma Template
Rohit Sharma has established a formidable legacy as one of the most destructive openers in limited-overs cricket. His ability to provide explosive starts in the powerplay has been a hallmark of his career. Rohit holds numerous records, including being the only batsman to score three double centuries in One Day Internationals (ODIs). He also holds the record for most runs as an opener for India since 2013 and scored five centuries in a single World Cup edition in 2019.[aditiraina+5]
Abhishek Sharma's journey shows striking similarities to Rohit's. Abhishek's maiden T20I century, a rapid 100 runs off 47 balls, came against Zimbabwe, mirroring Rohit Sharma's first international century in an ODI back in 2010, also against Zimbabwe. Both batsmen reached their centuries with a six off a left-arm spinner's full toss, an uncanny coincidence. Furthermore, Abhishek has surpassed Rohit's record for hitting the most sixes by an Indian in a T20I innings. These parallels highlight the impact of Rohit's template on the next generation of Indian cricketers.[aditiraina+5]
Preparation and Future Outlook
Abhishek Sharma's aggressive style is not just about raw power; it is backed by extensive preparation. He focuses on practicing against specific types of bowlers he expects to face and meticulously simulates match situations in the nets. He has also worked on technical aspects of his game, such as adjusting his backlift to ensure a smoother bat flow.[timesofindia+2]
His impressive form extends beyond international cricket. In the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, he scored 484 runs in 16 matches at a remarkable strike rate of 200. During that season, he also recorded the fastest fifty for Sunrisers Hyderabad, reaching the milestone in just 16 balls. Sharma's strong performances in T20Is and the IPL have put him in contention for an ODI call-up. He was considered for India's tour of Australia in October 2025 after excelling in the 2025 Asia Cup, where he was the top run-scorer with 314 runs in seven innings. As a batting all-rounder who also bowls left-arm orthodox spin, Abhishek Sharma offers valuable versatility to the Indian team. His continued adherence to an aggressive, Rohit Sharma-like template positions him as a crucial player for India's future in white-ball cricket.[newindianexpress+11]
