Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra heaped praise on Abhishek Sharma following his whirlwind knock in IND vs ENG 5th T20I. The Punjab opener slammed the second fastest century by an Indian in the shortest format of the game, falling just behind India’s ODI skipper Rohit Sharma, who currently holds the record. Chopra reckoned that Abhishek was following Rohit’s footsteps and had made a statement in a city (Mumbai) that loved “Sharma jis” the most.
Abhiskek Shamra just like Rohit?
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra reckoned that Abhisek was just following the footsteps of Rohit. He recknoned that any Sharma who opened for India was striking the ball well and that his future was bright. He noted that Rohit still held the record for the fastest hundred in a T20I game and that Abhishek was not far behind.
“That was Rohit Sharma, and Rohit Sharma has the record of the fastest T20I century (by an Indian) and our brother (Abhishek) has the second-fastest. He is following in Rohit’s footsteps. If you are a Sharma and you open for Team India, and you strike the ball well, your future is very bright. It seems like that and we saw the proof of that here,” Chopra said.
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Further, Chopra credited the selectors for sticking with Abhishek despite his inconsistency and picking him over Yashasvi Jaiswal. The latter was picked for the T20 World Cup but had warmed the bench throughout the tournament. Amid a debate over who could be a better opener for India in T20Is, Chopra minced no words in putting forth who was his favourite.
“They (selectors) said they would remain with Abhishek, he plays high-risk cricket, but this is what they want. He was getting stuck on bouncers earlier but that’s no longer the case. If you bowl at 150 kph, he hits at 175 kph. He makes room, opens his arms, and hits on the off-side. Some shots were breathtaking,” Chopra elaborated.
