Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: Instinctive Abhishek Sharma insists he isn’t living by the sword by embracing an ultra-aggressive batting style.
The opener cracked a 35-ball 84, with eight sixes and five boundaries, to set up India’s 48-run victory in their five-match T20I series opener against New Zealand in Nagpur on Wednesday.
After his blistering knock, Sharma said he is more of an instinctive player who relies on timing rather than range-hitting.
"We had a plan from day one and are just following it. I've figured out if you want to hit all balls or strike at 200, you have to carry intent. All teams have a plan for me. It's about my preparation. I'm going to back my instinct," he said.
The left hander was named player of the match at the post-match presentation ceremony and said thorough preparation makes big-hitting possible.
"I don't feel my role is high-risk, wouldn't say this is my comfort zone. But I've been practising to go big in the first six. I never do range-hitting. I'm more of a timing batter, I need to watch the ball and get used to the conditions,” the 25-year-old said.
"For it, I plan in my net session. I feel, if you watch your batting videos, you get an idea of where the bowler bowls to you."
India’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav also praised Sharma’s preparation and conduct, pointing out that his hours of hard work away from the spotlight reflects on the pitch.
"The way he prepares, I mean, it's not just how he bats in the games, but the way he prepares himself, the way he carries himself, when he's in the hotel, in the team bus. I think all those things, small small things, it reflects on the ground and he is enjoying those fruits of that," Kumar said.
