Melbourne: Young Indian opener Abhishek Sharma’s meticulous preparation and fearless approach against Australia earned him the Player of the Series award as India clinched the T20 series 2-1, despite two rain-affected matches.
The 24-year-old left-hander spent months preparing mentally and technically for the challenges posed by Australia’s bouncy pitches and world-class fast bowling attack. Across three completed matches, Abhishek amassed 163 runs, showcasing his aggressive stroke play at the top of the order.
“I was looking forward to this series. Australia’s conditions are unique, and I wanted to test myself against top-quality bowlers,” Abhishek said. He credited his success to focused practice sessions against fast bowlers and the freedom given by the team management to play his natural game.
The Punjab-born batter added that the clarity and confidence provided by captain Suryakumar Yadav and the coaching staff allowed him to set the pace for the team. “When you know you have that support, you can express yourself fully,” he said.
Abhishek also highlighted that facing high-caliber bowlers was essential, irrespective of Josh Hazlewood missing the final three T20Is. “If you want to perform for your team, you need to challenge yourself against the best,” he said.
The series has strengthened Abhishek’s resolve to feature in the upcoming T20 World Cup at home next year. “It would be a dream come true to play and hopefully win the World Cup for India. I’m committed to being ready when my chance comes,” he said.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav lauded his team’s all-round performance, particularly praising the bowlers. “The way we bounced back from 0-1, contributing with bat, ball, and in the field, speaks volumes about our depth. Bumrah and Arshdeep are a dangerous combination, and Axar, Varun, and Washington Sundar all performed well,” he said.
Looking ahead, Suryakumar said the experiences gained against strong sides like Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand would serve as valuable preparation for the home World Cup. “Playing at home will be challenging but thrilling, especially with the crowd support we saw during the women’s World Cup. We have two more series to prepare before that,” he added.
Australian captain Mitchell Marsh praised India’s timely performances and adaptability in a rain-affected series. “India won when it mattered most. Our team also gained experience testing our bench strength ahead of the World Cup,” he said.
Abhishek Sharma’s emergence as a match-winner in challenging Australian conditions signals India’s growing depth in T20 cricket and adds momentum to their World Cup preparations.
