Abhishek Sharma, the rising star of Indian cricket, has garnered significant praise for his aggressive batting style and consistent performances in 2025. The 25-year-old's fearless approach has made him an integral part of India's T20I setup, contributing significantly to their success, including an unbeaten run to the Asia Cup title where he was the leading run-scorer. Sharma recently earned the Player of the Series award in the T20I series against Australia, amassing 163 runs at an average of 40.75.
However, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has issued a warning to Sharma, advising him to be more selective with his aggressive shot-making, particularly with the T20 World Cup on the horizon. Pathan acknowledged Sharma's stellar form but cautioned that his predictable aggression could be exploited by opposition teams who will come prepared with specific strategies.
Sharma's trademark move of stepping out of his crease early to take on bowlers has been a successful tactic, helping him dominate the powerplay overs. He showcased this approach even against premier bowlers like Shaheen Afridi during the Asia Cup. However, Pathan believes that this same aggression could become a weakness if Sharma doesn't refine his approach. "If Abhishek continues to step out, then teams will begin to work him out. He should pick and choose," Pathan stated on his YouTube channel. He emphasized the need for a rationale behind the aggression, suggesting that Sharma can't step out to every bowler on the first ball of every innings.
During the rain-affected final T20I in Brisbane, Sharma faced difficulties against Australia's Nathan Ellis, who effectively used variations. Pathan pointed out that Sharma's struggle against Ellis highlights a potential area for improvement, as teams may now utilize bowlers with a lot of variations in the powerplay to counter him. Sharma had a lucky escape in that match as he was dropped twice. Pathan noted that had one of those chances been taken, his innings would have been cut short.
Echoing Pathan's sentiments, Australian pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood had earlier remarked on how batters are often "worked out" over time. Hazlewood suggested that bowlers study players, find patterns, and test them, and that great players are those who adapt and evolve their game. This highlights the importance of Sharma adding layers to his game to remain effective in the long run.
While Sharma's aggressive batting has yielded positive results, it also carries inherent risks. Teams have already started using off-cutters and slower deliveries to disrupt his bat speed early in the innings. Developing countermeasures and adaptability will be crucial for Sharma to solidify his place as a reliable top-order T20I asset. With experienced mentors like Yuvraj Singh guiding him and the Indian team management investing in his development, Sharma has the platform to evolve and reinforce his position. The key for Abhishek Sharma will be to blend his natural aggression with smart decision-making, ensuring he remains a potent force for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup and beyond.
