The legendary Ricky Ponting has tipped India opener Abhishek Sharma to be a possible match-winner on the upcoming T20 World Cup, describing him as a “star” who might even emerge because the match’s main run-scorer.
The 25-year-old is about to function in his maiden T20 World Cup, starting on February 7.
Ponting mentioned Abhishek’s relative inexperience on the international stage might truly work in his favour and make India stronger within the shortest format.
“He’s a star,” Ponting mentioned within the newest version of The ICC Evaluate.
“I feel it’s (lack of expertise) an actual optimistic to be sincere. He might be the main run-scorer and doubtlessly the Participant of the Match. That’s how good I feel he’s. And if he does, that makes India even more durable to beat. If he doesn’t, then they’re as susceptible as anyone else. So, that’s how necessary I feel he’s to this (T20) World Cup for India.”
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Abhishek, a member of India’s Below-19 World Cup-winning squad in 2018, has amassed 1,267 runs in 37 T20Is at a strike charge of 194.92, together with two tons of and eight fifties.
Ponting, who first labored with Abhishek throughout his stint as head coach of Delhi Capitals within the Indian Premier League (IPL), recalled recognizing his potential early on.
“I used to be his first IPL coach. He debuted with me, I feel, as a 17-year-old at Delhi, and made an instantaneous impression,” Ponting mentioned.
“I feel he hit his first ball for 4 or six straight again over the bowler’s head with that classical type of straight bat and held the pose. And you may simply see then, as a 17-year-old, that there was one thing additional particular.”
Ponting mentioned he had even urged the franchise to not let the teen go, satisfied of his long-term promise.
“We ended up buying and selling him away from Delhi, however I pleaded and pleaded and pleaded and mentioned, ‘Please don’t do that. We’ve acquired to (preserve him), there’s an absolute famous person within the making right here,’” he mentioned.
“And that’s what it’s turned out to be. I’ve acquired actually excessive hopes for him this time,” Ponting added.
Abhishek has warmed up for the ICC showpiece, piling on 182 runs in 5 matches in opposition to New Zealand within the just lately concluded T20I collection.
Revealed on Jan 31, 2026