Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar found an unusual yet memorable way to praise Abhishek Sharma after the young left-hander produced a breathtaking knock in the third T20I against New Zealand in Guwahati. Abhishek tore into the New Zealand bowling attack, hammering a 14-ball half-century at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium before finishing unbeaten on 68 off just 20 deliveries. His explosive innings helped India chase down a 154-run target in only 10 overs, sealing an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Abhishek’s rise in T20 cricket over the last two years has been nothing short of remarkable. Currently the top-ranked T20I batter, the 25-year-old has consistently combined fearless intent with clean ball-striking.

On Sunday, he even came close to eclipsing his mentor Yuvraj Singh’s iconic record for the fastest T20I fifty, which Yuvraj achieved in 12 balls during the 2007 T20 World Cup against England. Manjrekar, speaking on Instagram, highlighted what sets Abhishek apart in the shortest format. According to him, it’s not just raw power but the batter’s mindset that makes him a perfect T20 package.

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“He tries to maximise returns on every ball. He’s unselfish, not afraid to get out, and doesn’t care about milestones,” Sanjay Manjrekar said, before humorously adding that Abhishek is “pretty good-looking as well.”

The former India batter elaborated further, stressing that Abhishek’s ability to play without fear is a rare and valuable trait. Even when approaching personal landmarks, the southpaw refuses to slow down. His T20I hundreds, scored at strike rates above 200, reflect that philosophy.

“He’s not someone who will protect his wicket in the 90s. First ball, he’s ready to take a risk,” Sanjay Manjrekar noted, calling such batters “extremely dangerous” in modern T20 cricket.

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With the series already wrapped up, India and New Zealand will now shift focus to the fourth T20I in Visakhapatnam on January 28. For both sides, the remaining matches serve as crucial rehearsals ahead of the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7, with Abhishek Sharma firmly establishing himself as one of India’s biggest weapons heading into the global event.