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Former South African legend AB de Villiers has backed India’s young sensation Abhishek Sharma to light up the upcoming five-match T20I series in Australia. After an extraordinary Asia Cup 2025 campaign, where Abhishek hammered 314 runs in seven games at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 200, the left-hander has become one of India’s most exciting prospects in the shortest format.
AB de Villiers on why Abhishek Sharma will excel in Australia tour
De Villiers, known for his deep understanding of batting across conditions, believes that Abhishek’s game is tailor-made for the pace and bounce of Australian pitches. The Proteas great shared a detailed analysis of why the Indian opener will thrive Down Under, explaining how his shot-making, confidence, and adaptability could make him a standout performer.
In his latest YouTube video, De Villiers dissected Abhishek’s batting style and explained why the young left-hander’s technique will flourish in Australia.
“Abhishek Sharma is in the form of his life, and some people are already calling him the best opening batter in T20 cricket right now. He’ll love batting in Australia because there’s good bounce on those pitches. He enjoys freeing up his arms, going over the off-side, and playing with that open blade — and that’s exactly the kind of game that suits Australian wickets,” said De Villiers.
De Villiers emphasized that the natural pace of Australian surfaces often benefits aggressive batters who like to hit through the line. According to him, Abhishek’s comfort against fast bowling and his ability to use the extra bounce to his advantage will make him a key weapon for India.
“Players who can handle bounce, who can get on top of the ball and time their shots square of the wicket, always succeed in Australia. Abhishek has that instinct — he doesn’t get rushed by pace, he loves it,” De Villiers explained.
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Complete range of strokes makes Abhishek unpredictable
De Villiers, known himself for 360-degree batting, praised Abhishek’s versatility and range of strokes. The South African icon also highlighted how Abhishek’s calm temperament complements his aggressive style. He said: “He’s an all-round batter. He opens up the off-side beautifully — from point to third man — and can just as easily clear the leg side. That’s what makes him so dangerous. Bowlers can’t plan one way against him. He doesn’t look like he’s forcing the game; everything seems natural. When a batter is in that kind of rhythm, the conditions don’t matter much. Australia will challenge him, yes, but I think he’ll enjoy that challenge.”
For Abhishek, the Australian tour isn’t just another series — it’s a crucial step in proving that he can perform in all conditions. De Villiers believes that the experience of facing quality fast bowlers will accelerate his growth as an international cricketer.
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