Abhishek Sharma has been a revelation for India in T20Is, particularly after his impressive performance in the Asia Cup 2025. However, the recent T20I series against Australia has exposed some vulnerabilities in his game as the opposition bowlers seemed to have found a way to contain his explosive batting.
Despite finishing the series as the leading run-scorer with 163 runs at a strike rate of 161.39, a closer look reveals a more nuanced story. Sharma’s usual dominance was challenged, and Australia showcased a potential blueprint for other teams to follow. He was also named Player of the Series for his stellar performance.
Australia's strategy primarily revolved around Nathan Ellis, who emerged as the key codebreaker. Ellis employed a mix of slower balls, short deliveries targeting Sharma's body, and well-disguised yorkers. This tactic proved particularly effective at the MCG, where Ellis trapped Sharma LBW with a full, straight delivery after setting him up with a series of slower, short-pitched balls. The pattern was consistent throughout the series: short balls into the body, followed by a quick yorker when Sharma committed to his shot early.
This approach highlighted a specific vulnerability: Sharma's tendency to struggle against back-of-a-length deliveries or short balls directed at his ribs. His hard, flat bat-swing, usually a strength, can become a liability when bowlers take pace off the ball. Sharma thrives on having room to maneuver on both sides of the wicket and prefers facing predictable pace. By denying him these, Australia effectively curtailed his scoring options.
Spin also played a significant role, especially on slower surfaces. On the Gold Coast, Adam Zampa and the Indian spinners exploited the pitch's grip, making it difficult for Sharma to score freely. His innings of 28 off 21 balls lacked fluidity, and his dismissal to Zampa underscored another concern: his tendency to attack his way out of trouble rather than absorb pressure with a more measured approach.
While Sharma's aggressive intent in the powerplay overs has provided India with strong starts, his series performance suggests a need for greater adaptability. Sharma himself acknowledged the batting-friendly pitches in Australia and expressed that he was preparing himself for those conditions. He also credited captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir for giving him the freedom and clarity to express himself.
Looking ahead to the T20 World Cup, opposition analysts now have a clearer understanding of Sharma's weaknesses. It remains to be seen how Sharma will adapt and evolve his game to counter these strategies. While his aggressive style and high strike rate of nearly 190 in T20Is make him a valuable asset, he will need to add more nuance to his approach to maintain his dominance on the international stage. Over the course of 29 T20I matches, Sharma has amassed 1,012 runs while batting in 28 innings, boasting an impressive average of 37.48 and a striking strike rate of 189.51.
