‘Hit your shots from the first ball itself… I have never seen such an environment before’

Last updated:January 22, 2025, 11:25 PM IST

Young opener Abhishek Sharma, after playing the match-winning innings, said that he/she had never seen such an atmosphere inside the team. Abhishek composed ballads in praise of captain Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir. he/she scored 79 runs against England…read more

New Delhi . Yuvraj Singh’s protégé Abhishek Sharma played a brilliant innings in the first T20 against England. he/she scored 69 runs in 34 balls. Abhishek, who completed his/her half-century in 20 balls, praised Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav after the match. As far as traditional formats are concerned, Gambhir’s coaching methodology has still not been decided. The 24-year-old player helped India achieve the target of 133 runs in just 12.5 overs at the Eden Gardens.

Abhishek Sharma said at the post-match awards ceremony, ‘I wanted to express my views, but I would like to make a special mention of the captain (Suryakumar Yadav) and the coach (Gambhir). The freedom they gave us as youngsters. Yes, he/she is awesome. While there were talks about Gambhir not having coordination with the senior players during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Abhishek praised the atmosphere in the dressing room. Abhishek said, ‘I have never seen such an environment before, express yourself, hit your shots from the first ball itself.’ When asked about his/her plan, he/she said that it was very simple, like he/she plays in IPL.

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‘Want to play like IPL Was ‘
Left-handed batsman Abhishek, who plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad, said, ‘My plan was simple, play the way I used to play in the IPL.’ he/she remained at the crease using the pace of the balls from Joffra Archer and Mark Wood. he/she said, ‘I knew that the England bowlers would bowl short and test my patience. I implemented my plans very well.

Jos Buttler played 68 run innings
Despite a half-century by captain Jos Buttler (68 runs), the England team could not recover from the initial setbacks. And was reduced to 132 runs in 20 overs. For that, apart from Butler, only two other batsmen could reach double digits. Abhishek and wicketkeeper batsman Sanju Samson (26 runs) made a fast start and added 41 runs for the first wicket. Samson hit four fours and a thunderous six in 20 balls. Samson’s innings ended when he/she lifted the ball high in an attempt to pull the ball from Jofra Archer (21/2) and Gus Atkinson took a brilliant catch while running from the boundary. Captain Suryakumar Yadav also returned to the pavilion in the same fifth over.

he/she touched Archer’s leg cutter ball with his/her bat and wicketkeeper Phil Salt took a brilliant catch. After losing two wickets in the powerplay, Abhishek batted aggressively and snatched the match from England by hitting eight sixes and five fours in 34 balls, due to which India achieved the target with 43 balls remaining. Abhishek, playing at a strike rate of 200, made a partnership of 84 runs for the third wicket with Tilak Verma (19 not out).