Abhishek Sharma recently assaulted his way to the Player of the Series award against Australia. Just like he blasted his way to the Player of the Tournament award in the Asia Cup. During September this year, we saw his strike rate revolving around the 190s. Yes, batters are supposed to be daring in T20 cricket. But Abhishek was not some conventional southpaw who happens to be a good T20I batter. He was a slaughterer with no plans to play by the book.
The word which works best to define his batting numbers is ABNORMAL. I mean, let’s just say topping the charts among 183 T20I batters among test playing nations (Min. 600 runs) is understandable (It absolutely isn’t but this is Abhishek we’re talking about). But steering clear of 424 other batters like they disgust you is so inhumane.
If we don’t apply a filter for test playing nations, we can usually see associate batters alongside international batters on record lists. This is common. For instance, we all know how impactful and dangerous Tim David is on the crease. Among international T20I batters he is Abhishek’s tightest contender in best career strike rate. And he is behind four associate batters on the list. But Abhishek despised competition. He just didn’t want to appear on leaderboards. He wanted frickin alienation.
Whenever Sharma flexed his willow, the place, pitch, or the bowler who ran up didn’t matter to him. He danced down the track and deposited body-length deliveries through extra cover like there was no tomorrow. He was not be rattled by the bouncy pitches down under. He never let his guard up because he doesn’t have one. Irrespective of the conditions, Sharma just wanted to brutalize. His lowest strike rate in a country he has batted in is 161, in Australia. And his lowest strike rate against a particular opponent is also 161, against Australia. I repeat, his LOWEST.
When you look at it, it’s simple. Abhishek is not that batter who takes time to attain rhythm. He does not need to tuck a few balls around to establish himself in the crease. The batting powerplay is his bread and butter. Unless you surprise him with an absolute ripper, he will leave you grotesque. Because this is a guy with more than 1000 runs averaging above 35 while striking at a goddamn 189. Now that is just nuts. I’m sure other 218 T20I batters with more than 1000 runs would happily concur with this.
So far in his career, there is not an opponent who hasn’t suffered whenever Sharma chose violence. Which is, ALL THE TIME and from the very first over. Out of all the eight opponents he has batted against, he has scored fifties against six. And his scores in the only two innings he played against the rest of the opponents were 38(15) and 30(16). Talk about hunger for carnage! I hope the Kiwis do see what I am saying here because you are the only ones left to face the music guys!
