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West Indies legend Brian Lara lauded Indian batting sensation Abhishek Sharma, praising his determination to represent India in the Test arena despite being one of the most destructive batters in T20 cricket. Lara spoke highly of the youngster during an interaction with the media at the CEAT Cricket Ratings event in Mumbai on Tuesday, reflecting on his time mentoring Abhishek during his stint as Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batting coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Brian Lara speaks on Abhishek Sharma’s Test cricket aspirations for India
Having closely watched Abhishek’s development from a promising middle-order floater to a dynamic opener, Lara described him as ‘something special.’ The Trinidadian maestro revealed that he had first worked with Abhishek in the 2021 and 2022 IPL seasons when the left-hander began showcasing glimpses of his raw power and natural stroke-making. Lara credited Yuvraj Singh’s mentorship for shaping Abhishek’s aggressive batting approach, particularly his bat speed and ability to dominate bowlers across formats.
“I know Abhishek from my time with Sunrisers Hyderabad during the COVID period. He is an incredible talent—someone I genuinely admire, Yuvraj Singh has had a massive influence on his batting style. Even with his success in T20s and ODIs, he’s eager to wear the whites for India. That’s the kind of hunger you need to see in young cricketers,” Lara said to the reporters.
Lara’s praise showcased not only Abhishek’s rapid rise but also his ambition to transition from a limited-overs star to a player capable of excelling in the traditional five-day format.
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Abhishek’s consistent performances across formats
Abhishek’s meteoric rise in white-ball cricket has made him one of India’s most exciting young prospects. The left-handed opener was instrumental in India’s recent Asia Cup 2025 triumph, accumulating 314 runs in six innings at a blistering strike rate of 200, including three half-centuries. His performances have showcased an ideal blend of flair and composure, attributes that Lara believes can serve him well in the longer formats.
In 2025, Abhishek’s T20I record stands out impressively. He has registered 593 runs in 12 matches at an average nearing 50 and a strike rate above 208, with one century and four fifties, including his breathtaking 54-ball 135 against England in Mumbai. Across 24 T20Is, he has tallied 849 runs at a strike rate of 196, highlighting his capability to influence games single-handedly.
His consistency has also been evident in the IPL, where partnerships with Travis Head at the top have rejuvenated Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batting approach. Over the last two seasons, Abhishek amassed 932 runs in 30 matches at a strike rate of nearly 200, including an explosive 141 against Punjab Kings. His 2024 season was particularly noteworthy, yielding 484 runs, three fifties, and 42 sixes, numbers that positioned him among the league’s elite performers.
While his limited-overs credentials are well established, Abhishek’s first-class record offers glimpses of his red-ball potential. Representing Punjab, he has scored 1,071 runs in 24 matches at an average of 30.60, including one century. Lara believes that with technical refinement and patience, Abhishek has the potential to translate his aggressive instincts into the Test format.
As India prepares for its upcoming T20I series in Australia starting October 29, Abhishek will once again be at the centre of attention. For Lara, though, the ultimate test of the young star’s journey lies ahead, not in the glitz of T20 but in the whites of Test cricket, where his ambition and ability could script a new chapter in Indian cricket’s evolving narrative.
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