Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja has heaped praise on Rohit Sharma for shaping the fearless batting approach that has allowed youngsters like Abhishek Sharma to thrive in international cricket. Abhishek, who made his T20I debut shortly after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph and the retirement of Rohit and Virat Kohli, has quickly become one of the team’s most exciting openers.
Since his debut, Abhishek has smashed 596 runs in 19 T20Is at an impressive strike rate of 195.40 and an average of 33.11. His aggressive style at the top has set the tone for India’s batting, and Jadeja believes much of that confidence stems from Rohit’s selfless influence in white-ball cricket.
“He (Abhishek) is a dominating player, but I must add the credit also goes to Rohit Sharma,” Ajay Jadeja told Sony Sports. “He may not be around now, but it was Rohit who laid down this approach. Earlier, a player scoring 30 and getting out would be questioned. But today, the team values intent over numbers, and that shift comes from Rohit’s mindset.”
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Jadeja further explained that India’s depth in batting allows players like Abhishek to play with freedom, knowing the team will back their fearless style even if it means occasional failures. This environment, according to him, has been crucial in the youngster’s rise.
Former cricketer Abhishek Nayar also highlighted the southpaw’s hunger for the game. He revealed that Abhishek doesn’t rest even when he’s away from international duty. Instead, he travels across India—whether to Delhi, Rajasthan, Dehradun, or Mumbai—to find matches and practice opportunities.
“He’s not just talented; he’s diligent,” Abhishek Nayar said. “Abhishek has the mindset of someone who lives to become a better cricketer. He plays wherever he can, always looking to sharpen his game.”
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Abhishek has carried this attitude into the Asia Cup 2025 as well, scoring 61 runs in just two innings at a strike rate of 210.34. With such explosive starts, the youngster looks set to become a mainstay in India’s T20 setup for years to come.
