Shortly after scoring the second-fastest century for India during the fifth and final T20I against England in Mumbai on Sunday, Abhishek Sharma played down the competition for the opening position among himself, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

It has been less than a year since the Punjab batter stepped onto the international scene, having made a notable impact in domestic cricket and an impressive IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2024. His first T20I century was achieved in just his second match, taking 46 balls, marking it as the joint-third fastest by any Indian.

—

On Sunday, the 24-year-old notched up 135 runs off only 54 balls, leading India to a formidable total of 247/9 in his second T20I century. He also contributed with the ball, taking two wickets to cap off a remarkable performance. The left-hander’s innings included 7 fours and 13 sixes, setting a record for the most sixes hit by an Indian in a single T20I innings.

Previously, he had scored a 28-ball century, successfully claiming a spot as the joint-fastest hundred for any Indian in the prestigious Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy.

With Gill and Jaiswal currently focused on the ODI and Test formats, Abhishek has emerged as the favored choice for the opening role. After a lackluster performance in South Africa, he seized his opportunity against England, turning his fortunes around.

With India not scheduled to play T20I matches for some time, Abhishek has made a compelling case for himself, minimizing the competition for when the star duo returns to the format in the future.

“I met Jassu [Jaiswal] and Shubman yesterday [at the BCCI awards]. There has never been a rivalry among us – we’ve played together since Under-16. It has always been about the dream of playing for India. Now that all three of us are playing, it’s a fantastic feeling,” Abhishek shared.

The young player acknowledged the support of his seniors, who advised him to take his time after he reached fifty in just 17 balls, and was batting on 94 from 32 deliveries after nine overs. Although he aimed for Rohit Sharma’s record of the fastest T20I century off 35 balls, he ultimately reached the milestone in 37 balls.

“I was in a zone, reacting to the ball without focusing on my score. I asked Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) what I should do. He suggested taking my time since a wicket had fallen, which really helped. I credit him with reaching my hundred and achieving my highest score. At that moment, I didn’t realize I was on track for the fastest hundred [the second-fastest by an Indian],” he explained.

“I adjust my play based on the team’s situation. Luckily, while in the 80s or 90s, Surya reminded me I had played well so far; so, I could afford to take a couple of balls. When your captain is with you and offers advice, it encourages you to play carefully. Hardik (Pandya) also mentioned that I should play to the situation and try to bat until the end, given how well I was hitting the ball. With Axar coming in, it was great to have the guidance of these experienced players who really know how to navigate the game,” he added.

Abhishek also emphasized the influence of former India allrounder Yuvraj Singh on his development.

“Yuvraj was always supportive, instilling confidence and belief in me. When he tells you that you’ll represent your country and help win games, it encourages you to trust in yourself. I speak with him after every game; he understands me better than I do,” he said.

“When your captain and coach assure you of their backing, it serves as the greatest motivation for a young player. In South Africa, I remember Hardik and Surya telling me I would definitely score runs if I just believed in myself. In this series, Gauti [head coach Gautam Gambhir] returned, and I truly appreciate their confidence in me. Such support is extraordinary and serves as a huge motivation for any player,” he concluded.

—