Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has issued a strong warning to Australia ahead of the upcoming T20I series, highlighting Abhishek Sharma as India’s biggest weapon. After India’s 1-2 loss in the ODI series, all eyes now turn to the explosive left-hander, who has been in remarkable form in T20 cricket this year.

Abhishek was one of India’s standout performers during the 2025 Asia Cup, where he dominated bowlers with his fearless batting, scoring 314 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 200 — the highest tally of the tournament. Speaking to Fox Sports, Shastri said Australia will be wary of Abhishek’s game-changing ability.

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“He’s a gun T20 player. If he’s in for a while, there’s guaranteed entertainment. Irrespective of whether you’re Australian or Indian, you’ll enjoy his batting. But you don’t want him out there too long because he can create chaos,” Ravi Shastri remarked.

The former coach further praised Abhishek’s unwavering confidence and attacking mindset, traits that make him a nightmare for bowlers. “His preparation, belief in his ability, and his range of shots set him apart. From the first ball, he backs himself to dominate — that’s what makes him so dangerous and quietly confident,” Ravi Shastri added.

Abhishek’s T20I record backs the hype — 849 runs from 23 innings at an impressive average of 36.91, including two centuries and five fifties. He currently holds the No. 1 T20I batter ranking with 926 rating points, underlining his consistency and impact.

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Having already been named Player of the Tournament in India’s Asia Cup triumph, the young southpaw will now look to extend his purple patch as India face Australia in the five-match T20I series starting October 29 in Canberra. If his current form continues, Abhishek Sharma could well be Australia’s biggest headache once again.