‘Finds different methods to score runs’: Ajinkya Rahane highlights what makes Abhishek Sharma special

Left-arm opener Abhishek Sharma (Image: IANS) Abhishek Sharma continues to redefine aggressive batting in T20 Internationals, combining an extraordinary scoring rate with an ability to find solutions when opposition bowlers try to expose his weaknesses. The Indian opener crossed the 2,000-run mark in T20Is during the third match against West Indies in Indore on Sunday and former India batsman Ajinkya Rahane believes his ability to adapt without compromising his attacking intent makes him a special talent.Abhishek smashed 69 off just 30 deliveries in the third T20I to power India to an impressive 223 to help the hosts take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. His innings featured explosive strokeplay, but Rahane was particularly impressed with the left-hander’s approach against Roston Chase off the corkscrew, an area where Abhishek has previously faced challenges.Speaking to Cricbuzz, Rahane praised the youngster’s ability to find different methods of scoring while maintaining his trademark aggressiveness and high strike rate.“You see, he is a special talent. We have always talked about him, his intent. What I like about Abhishek Sharma is his finding methods to score runs. If he is struggling in a particular area, he finds a way, he finds another method to score runs without losing his intent, I mean without losing his strike rate,” Rahane said.

Abhishek Sharma’s ability to adapt to Rahane will impress

Abhishek’s approach against Chase in Indore offered a glimpse of the adaptability that Rahane highlighted. Instead of going for the off-spinner immediately, the left-hander initially played a few deliveries cautiously before switching gears in the third over and hitting two sixes and a boundary over the off side.The adjustment has allowed Abhishek to rise to the challenge without abandoning his natural attacking instincts, highlighting why Rahane finds his approach to the bat particularly impressive. Abhishek boasts a T20I strike rate of 195.95, the highest among batsmen who have faced at least 250 deliveries in the format.Rahane also highlighted the remarkable consistency behind the opener’s aggressive style and pointed to his ability to keep scores close to 200 throughout his international career.“We see his strike tally approaching 200 in his career so far. And the consistency is so amazing. (He is) the fastest player or batsman to score 2000 runs in the T20 format, which is something amazing,” added Rahane.

Abhishek Sharma enters elite company with 2000 T20I runs

The third T20I against West Indies marked another major milestone in Abhishek’s fast-growing international career. He became the fastest batsman to reach 2,000 T20I runs in terms of balls faced, needing just 1,024 deliveries to reach the milestone.Abhishek is currently ranked 2nd in the ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings, having previously held the top spot.He also continued his remarkable run of sixes in 2026. His 69 against West Indies brought him 68 sixes in a calendar year, equaling Suryakumar Yadav’s record for most sixes by a full-time batsman in men’s T20Is in a calendar year.