Former Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting has revealed that he pleaded with the franchise’s ownership and management not to trade Abhishek Sharma ahead of the 2019 IPL season, insisting then that the young batsman was a future superstar.
Speaking to ICC Review, Ponting said that Abhishek made an instant impression when he made his Delhi Capitals debut under him as a 17-year-old during the 2018 IPL.
“I was his first IPL coach,” Ponting said. “He made his debut with me, I think as a 17-year-old in Delhi, and he made an immediate impact. I think he hit his first ball four or six straight back over the bowler’s head with that classic kind of straight bat and he was holding a pose. And as a 17-year-old you could see there was something extra special.”
Despite this early promise, Abhishek only appeared in three innings for Delhi Capitals. He was later one of the three players traded to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the deal that brought Shikhar Dhawan to the capital.
Ponting said he had repeatedly urged the franchise to reconsider its move. “We ended up trading him from Delhi, but I begged and begged and begged and said please don’t do it. We have to (keep him), there’s an absolute superstar in the making. And that’s what it’s shown. I have really high hopes for him this time.”
Abhishek’s IPL debut remains a standout moment as the left-hander scored a smooth 19-ball 46 not out. Since joining Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2019 season, yes established himself as one of the most devastating openers in the league he scored 1753 runs in 71 innings at a strike rate of 162.16.
The 23-year-old has carried that form into international cricket and is all set to feature in his first ICC event at the upcoming T20 World Cup. Ponting believes he will not be let down by the occasion and has backed Abhishek to play a crucial role for India.
“(It’s) really positive to be honest. He can be the top scorer and potentially player of the tournament. So I think he’s good. And if he does that, India will be even harder to beat. If he doesn’t, they’re as vulnerable as anybody. That’s why I think he’s important for India in this World Cup.”
Abhishek’s numbers since his T20I debut in July 2024 underline Ponting’s confidence. He scored 1297 runs in 37 innings at an average of 37.05 and a strike rate of 194.74, including two centuries and eight half-centuries. Among them was a 14-ball fifty against New Zealand last week, the second-fastest half-century by an Indian in T20Is.
India, the defending champions, will begin their T20 World Cup campaign on February 7 in Mumbai against USA, with Abhishek Sharma expected to bat.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
February 3, 2026
