Former India batter Mohammed Kaif has heaped praise on in-form opener Abhishek Sharma, with comparisons now being drawn between the young left-hander and T20 great Chris Gayle. Kaif’s comments came after Abhishek’s explosive knock against New Zealand in the third T20I, an innings that once again highlighted his growing reputation as one of India’s most dangerous power-hitters.
Abhishek has been in sensational touch in the ongoing T20I series, scoring 152 runs in three matches to emerge as the second-highest run-scorer. He is averaging 76.00 at a remarkable strike rate of 271.43, numbers that underline his fearless approach at the top of the order. Speaking on his YouTube channel after the third T20I, Kaif explained why Abhishek stands apart from most attacking openers.
“Usually, players who play like him are not consistent. I've seen many big-name players like this. Chris Gayle, who used to play in a similar way, always going for the big shots,” Kaif said.
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“But even Chris Gayle played smart cricket. Gayle also used to play maiden overs. He would play the first over carefully, especially on pitches like Bangalore where there was early help, and then accelerate.”
‘You can’t praise him enough,’ says Kaif
According to Kaif, Abhishek has gone a step ahead of that template. “Abhishek Sharma has surpassed that. He doesn't need to settle his eyes, he attacks straight away. So you can't praise him enough,” Kaif said.
Kaif also highlighted how rare it is to see such consistency from ultra-aggressive batters. “Batters like this are usually inconsistent. One good innings, then a few failures. But look at Abhishek's style. He proves himself in every match. Even if he faces just 12–14 balls, he scores 60–70 runs. That makes him a match-winner. If Abhishek Sharma is on, India are almost certain to win.”
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Kaif’s praise followed Abhishek’s stunning display in the third T20I, where India chased down 155 to take an unassailable 3–0 lead in the five-match series. The left-hander tore into the bowling from ball one, reaching his half-century in just 14 balls, narrowly missing Yuvraj Singh’s Indian record of a 12-ball fifty. He remained unbeaten on 68 off only 20 deliveries, hitting seven fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 340.
Abhishek also shared an unbeaten 102-run stand with captain Suryakumar Yadav, who scored 57 off 26 balls, as India wrapped up the chase in just 10 overs.
Like Gayle in his prime, Abhishek is a left-handed opener who loves the powerplay and puts bowlers under instant pressure. The difference, as Kaif pointed out, is his consistency. At just 25, Abhishek has already scored 1,267 runs in 36 T20Is, averaging 38.39 at a strike rate of 195.22, with eight fifties and two centuries — numbers that suggest India may have found a rare and reliable match-winner at the top of the order.
