Australia’s left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann has singled out India’s explosive opener Abhishek Sharma as a key threat ahead of the fourth T20I in Queensland on Thursday, November 6. Aware of the youngster’s blistering form, Kuhnemann admitted that the Australian bowlers must remove him early to avoid another match-defining innings.
Abhishek’s meteoric rise has been one of Indian cricket’s most exciting stories in recent times. Following a phenomenal IPL season, where his fearless batting and all-round stroke play drew national attention, the Punjab batter seamlessly transitioned to the international stage. His standout performance in the Asia Cup 2025, where he finished as the top run-getter and guided India to the title, firmly established him as a rising star.
In the ongoing India vs Australia T20I series, Abhishek has continued to impress. His 68-run knock in Melbourne showcased his ability to dominate world-class attacks from the very first delivery. Australia’s bowlers have taken note of his aggressive intent, and Matt Kuhnemann emphasised how crucial it is to dismiss him early.
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“Hopefully Xavier Bartlett or Benny Dwarshuis can get him in the first couple of overs. He’s a serious talent who goes hard from ball one. It’s going to be a great spectacle on Thursday, but we’ll try to get him cheaply,” Matt Kuhnemann told cricket.com.au. The 27-year-old spinner is expected to feature in his fifth T20I in the upcoming clash.
Kuhnemann also reflected on the evolving nature of T20 cricket, highlighting the striking similarities between the Indian and Australian batting approaches. “Both teams are playing a very explosive brand of cricket. Everyone’s attacking from the start, and wickets in the middle overs will be crucial,” he said.
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With the series locked at 1-1, both teams are expected to bring their best to Queensland. While Australia might rotate a few players to manage workloads ahead of domestic and Test commitments, all eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma. His form and ability to dictate the powerplay could well decide the course of the remaining matches — and perhaps the outcome of the series itself.
