Introduction: A New Way to Play T20
T20 cricket is changing fast. Teams no longer play safe early on. They don’t save wickets for the end. Instead, they attack from the first ball. Scoring runs quickly is now the goal. Hitting sixes is the best way to dominate. In 2012, a six came every 27 balls in T20 games. By 2025, it’s every 13 balls. India was slow to adapt. They stuck to a cautious style. But now, they’re catching up. In 2015, Indian batters hit a six every 42 balls in T20Is. By 2024, it was every 12 balls. Leading this change is Abhishek Sharma. He’s not just an opener. He’s a game-changer. This article breaks down his technical skills, fearless mindset, and strategic impact on India’s T20 batting.
How Abhishek Bats
Abhishek Sharma’s batting is built for T20. It’s not for Test cricket or swinging balls. It’s for flat pitches and big hits. His technique is all about power and control.
Stance and Setup
Sharma stands slightly open. He lines up near the leg stump. This gives him a clear view of the bowler. It also lets him swing freely to hit off-side shots. His backlift is high. This creates a long swing for more power. It helps him loft the ball over the infield, especially against spin.
His trigger movement is unique. Just before the bowler releases, he steps back and across. This moves him deeper in the crease. It turns tricky “hard length” balls (6-8 meters) into shorter ones. These sit up nicely for his pull and cut shots. It also gives him extra time to read fast bowlers (over 140 kph).
Power Generation
Sharma’s power comes from his body. He bends his back leg when hitting fuller balls. This lowers his body and opens his hips. The rotation creates torque. This force moves through his core to his arms. His bat swing is free and fast. This is clear in his lofted cover drives. Unlike traditional players, he doesn’t step forward much. He relies on hand-eye coordination and strong wrists. This style is like his mentor, Yuvraj Singh. Experts like Aakash Chopra praise his “clean” swing. It looks elegant, not forced.
This approach has risks. It depends heavily on timing. On bouncy or seaming pitches, it may struggle. But most T20 pitches are flat. His technique is perfect for them.
The Mindset of a Champion
Sharma’s aggression isn’t reckless. It’s planned. His mindset is shaped by coaching, mentors, and team support.
Fearless from the Start
Sharma attacks from ball one. His father, his first coach, taught him to hit lofted shots with confidence. If he goes aerial, he aims to clear the boundary. At Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL, he paired with Travis Head. Both were told to attack without fear. This freedom let Sharma play his natural game. He learned from Australia’s 2023 ODI World Cup team. They aimed for huge totals, like 400 runs. Sharma brings this bold thinking to T20s.
Mentorship from Legends
Yuvraj Singh, a T20 icon, guided Sharma. He taught him to mix aggression with smart choices. Yuvraj’s belief in him built his confidence. Brian Lara, another legend, coached him at SRH. Lara taught him to avoid wasting his wicket. He also introduced Sharma to golf. This improved his bat swing. With support from India’s captains and coaches, Sharma plays without fear of failure. His team judges him on intent, not just runs. This lets him take risks others avoid.
Owning the Powerplay
Sharma redefines the powerplay (first six overs). He doesn’t just start fast. He sets the game’s tempo. In the 2024 IPL, he and Travis Head scored 125/0 in six overs against Delhi Capitals—a T20 record. His career powerplay strike rate is 158.42. He hits a boundary every 3.97 balls. Even after the powerplay, he keeps attacking. His middle-overs strike rate is 165.62. In the 2024 IPL, he scored over 400 runs without facing more than 30 balls in any innings. This shows his efficiency.
He dominates both pace and spin. His T20 strike rate against pace is 152.51. Against spin, it’s 160.00. Since 2023, his spin strike rate is 205.5—best among Indian batters. His fast starts let India’s middle order, like Suryakumar Yadav, attack from a strong base. This makes big totals (220+) possible. For opponents, Sharma’s aggression forces early changes. Captains use their best bowlers early. This weakens their attack later. His approach is like a chess move—it controls the game.
Sharma vs. Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal is another top T20 opener. Both are aggressive and fearless. But they’re different. Jaiswal is versatile. Sharma is a T20 specialist.
Technique Comparison
Jaiswal’s style is more classical. He plays well off both front and back foot. He drives, cuts, and pulls with ease. Against spin, he sweeps, reverse-sweeps, and dances down the pitch. This makes him great for Tests, ODIs, and T20s. Sharma’s technique is T20-focused. His back-and-across move and stable base maximize power. He relies on timing, not footwork. This works best in T20s but may struggle in other formats.
Stats Showdown
Sharma’s T20I strike rate is 193.84. Jaiswal’s is 164.32. Sharma scores faster. He has two T20I centuries in 16 innings. Jaiswal has one in 22. But Jaiswal is more consistent. In the 2025 IPL, he scored 559 runs at an average of 43.00. Sharma scored 439 at 33.76. Jaiswal offers reliability. Sharma offers explosive impact.
The All-Rounder Edge
T20 teams need flexibility. Sharma is a true all-rounder. He bowls left-arm spin. In 17 T20Is, he bowled 19 overs, taking 6 wickets at an average of 25.50. His economy rate is 8.05. He’s not a main spinner but a useful option. His bowling creates matchups, like spinning the ball away from right-handers. It also covers for struggling bowlers. This lets India add an extra batter or bowler without losing balance.
Jaiswal, a part-time leg-spinner, rarely bowls. He’s a specialist batter. Sharma’s dual skills make him more valuable in T20Is, where every player counts.
Conclusion: Sharma Leads the Way
Jaiswal and Sharma are both stars. Jaiswal is consistent and versatile. He’s built for all formats. Sharma is a T20 specialist. His high strike rate, powerplay dominance, and bowling make him unique. He scores faster, disrupts opponents, and adds team flexibility. For India’s T20 team, Sharma is the better choice. His style fits the modern game—fearless, fast, and multi-skilled. As India prepares for the 2026 T20 World Cup, Sharma’s approach is the future. He’s not just playing. He’s rewriting how T20 is played.
About the Author
Lekin yaha pr abhishek vs jaiswal kyu ho raha hai , jaiswal vs gill kyu nahi. Kya ye jaiswal ke sath unfair nahi hai