PUNJABI BY NATURE: Abhishek Sharma destroys England

There is a fearless strike in Abhishek Sharma. At the same time, such is his ferocity, he has instilled fear in the mind of the rival bowlers. At the hallowed precincts of the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday night, Abhishek was on fire. Literally. For those who love a contest between bat and ball, Abhishek Sharma reduced it to a no-contest against England. He is like the heavyweight boxer who comes up with a flurry of hooks and punches to floor the opponents.

One difference, Abhishek wears gloves, but not the boxing ones. He wears batting gloves, then uses the willow to smash the white ball with such ferocity, such impunity, it leaves one and all in a daze. Spare a thought for the rival bowlers, for this kind of batting is hard to deal with. It destroys the bowlers, leaves them numb. For sheer intensity, effort and aura, Abhishek Sharma ensured the world would stand up and applaud a 24-year-old burst into brilliance.

For those who watched Abhishek’s knock of 135 runs coming off just 54 deliveries, so many batting record in T20 internationals fell into the dustbin Born in Amritsar, Punjab, Abhishek has learnt the basics well. He is mentored by none other than Yuvraj Singh, the legend, who, one his day was one of the most ruthless batsmen. Today, they call them, batters. So, this batter named Abhishek was making ‘batter’ of sorts with his assault against the English bowlers. Imagine, like a machine in motion which produces ‘batter’ for producing the most delicious ingredient to prepare South India cuisine like ‘idlis’ and ‘dosas,’ Abhishek was doing his job. These days, ‘batter’ is prepared by a machine where the revolutions per minute and the right mix fluff up the dough.

In Abhishek’s batting, there is more than fluff. He is like the smacking hot stuff you eat, licking your lips. Just that the bowlers he clubbed to near-death from Engand were made to look club class. As a southpaw, Abhishek comes across as even more dominating. He has that aesthetic appeal as well, even though he makes life miserable for the bowlers. He can handle pace and spin with equal comfort. For those who know a thing or two about being a Punjabi and what all is special about Amritsar, the holy city where the Golden Temple’s aura brings joy to devotees, Abhishek is also a devotee. He has been reverential not only to the Golden Temple but also to his Guru/Mentor, Yuvraj Singh.

At his peak, Yuvi was a nightmare for the bowlers.  A big difference between then and now, the evolution of how batters have become more hungry, more fearless and ensure they soak in the big-stag pressure like a sponge. What effect does a mentor like Yuvi have on Abhishek Sharma. It is, obviously, massive. And the best part, ‘Yuvi Paa’ as they address him reverentially, has instilled in dynamic Abhishek the mindset to go for big knocks. Indian cricket is blessed that in the white-ball format there are fearless batters. They do not hesitate in playing big shots and creative stuff.

It is engrained in the new lot that a 50 can be built on, provided the mind is calm and the heart rate is in control. Out there in the middle of the 22 yards, Abhishek became the master. He was merciless, taming pace and spin with audacity. Someone who loves stats will go gag over the assault. On a Richter scale, what Abishek produced was more like an earthquake, ‘terra-firma’ trembling below. And yet, when Abhishek bats, he does not give an impression of being ungainly. He looks majestic and has won fans all around the world. Impressive for someone who has proved himself in first class cricket as well as the Indian Premier League. Abhishek has been with the Delhi franchise and also is now with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Sure enough, his owners in SRH, Kavya Maran included, will also be happy the young man is peaking.

What Abhishek has done in T20 internationals is breathtaking. Fans want more, they crave for an Abhishek encore. Surely, he will light up IPL 2025, where runs will leave bowlers in ruins!