Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes rising opener Abhishek Sharma needs to continue to develop as a T20I batsman despite being adjudged player of the series in India’s recently concluded T20I series against Australia. The fifth and final match at the Gabba on 8 November was washed out due to rain, but Abhishek’s performances throughout the series attracted considerable attention.
Abhishek finished the series as the highest run scorer with 163 runs in five innings at an average of 40.75 at a strike rate of 161.38. His fearless approach, especially in the overs, has already made him one of the most impressive young top-order batsmen in the T20 setup in India.
However, Pathan believes that while Abhishek’s aggressive style is a strength, it also makes him predictably high risk. According to him, if the youngster does not start “choosing” his attacking moments, opposition teams will soon decode him.
“Abhishek is playing fearless cricket which is very good,” Pathan said on his YouTube channel. “But he has to be selective. If he steps up aggressively every ball, the pitchers will plan for it. Especially the power-play variation pitchers have troubled him before. He has to choose his pitchers and his moments wisely. Aggression is fine – but there has to be a strategy behind it.”
Pathan’s remarks are in line with those made earlier in the series by Australia’s pace chief Josh Hazlewood, who spoke of the natural trajectory of the batter being “worked out” over time.
“That’s how it usually goes,” Hazlewood said after the second T20I. “Players come in and do well early on. Then pitchers study them, find patterns and test them. The great players are the ones who get through that phase, expand their game and come out stronger to dominate for years.”
Abhishek’s case is particularly interesting because his high-pace batting has produced results, but it also brings revelations. Teams have already started using off-cutters and slower deliveries to disrupt his early innings bat speed. The next step for him will be to develop countermeasures and adaptability, traits that separate up-and-comers from long-term match-winners.
With senior professionals like Yuvraj Singh mentoring him and the Indian team management investing in his development, Abhishek now has a platform and a challengeto reinforce his place as a reliable first-class T20I asset.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
November 8, 2025
