Rising Indian star Abhishek Sharma once again proved his mettle on Friday night with a scintillating 37-ball 68 in the second T20I against Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Despite his brilliant knock, India faltered collectively, managing just 125 runs, in what turned out to be a disappointing outing for the visitors.

Abhishek anchors India’s innings

Walking in at a crucial moment after early wickets, Abhishek showcased composure beyond his years. Against the fiery pace of Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott, he unleashed a series of crisp shots on both sides of the wicket, displaying remarkable control and timing.
He raced to a half-century off just 23 balls, bringing the MCG crowd to its feet. His strokeplay included elegant off-side drives, slashes past point, and effortless lofts over cover. Even as wickets kept tumbling, the 23-year-old continued to counterattack fearlessly, proving why he is considered one of India’s brightest new talents.

A lone warrior in India’s collapse

Despite Abhishek’s heroics, India’s batting unit failed to click. Captain Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to bat first backfired as Hazlewood ripped through the top order with a fiery spell of 3 for 13, including 15 dot balls.
Abhishek found little support at the other end, with regular wickets halting any momentum. Once Axar Patel was run out in a mix-up, the onus fell entirely on the Punjab lad to salvage the innings.

At 110 for 8, Abhishek took matters into his own hands — hooking Xavier Bartlett for a six and following it up with a four, before eventually falling after a superb 68 off 37 balls. India’s innings folded soon after, ending on a modest 125, leaving the bowlers with an uphill task.

Praise pours in from cricket legends

Abhishek’s knock earned widespread acclaim across the cricketing world. Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen took to X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Abhishek is seriously NEXT LEVEL.”

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan also lauded the youngster’s effort, tweeting, “Abhishek Sharma playing on a different pitch? Brilliant half-century!”

Analysts and fans alike praised his ability to adapt to the MCG’s extra bounce, calling his innings a “mature masterclass” under pressure.

Missed opportunities for India

Experts, however, pointed out that India’s inability to rotate the strike cost them valuable runs. While Abhishek struck at a brisk pace, his partners failed to keep the scoreboard ticking, consuming too many deliveries.
“It was a case of one man fighting alone,” a former cricketer said on air. “Abhishek did everything right — he used the crease, rode the bounce, and targeted the right bowlers. The others just didn’t show enough awareness.”

Looking ahead

Despite the loss, Abhishek’s performance was a silver lining for India. His fearless approach, elegant shot selection, and ability to handle pace and bounce augur well for India’s T20 World Cup plans next year.
As India looks to bounce back in the next match, Abhishek’s innings at the MCG will be remembered as one of grit and brilliance amidst adversity, reaffirming his status as one of the most promising batters in Indian cricket today.