Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan has backed Abhishek Sharma following the opener’s sensational 38-ball 113 against New Zealand in the third T20 International, reminding critics of the batter’s match-winning potential after he faced calls for his place in the team to be reconsidered.
Abhishek produced a blistering performance on Tuesday helping India defeat New Zealand by six wickets and take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Pathan praised the left-handed batter’s fearless approach, arguing that criticism can quickly intensify whenever a player fails to deliver in a particular match. His comments came after Abhishek answered questions about his recent form with one of the most destructive innings of the series.
Pathan highlighted the tendency of fans and social media users to demand changes in the playing XI after an underwhelming performance. He pointed out that Abhishek had faced calls to be dropped when he struggled to make a substantial contribution. “If anything goes wrong, people want him to be dropped. This happens especially on social media,” Pathan said, stressing that players should not be judged solely on isolated performances. He also praised Abhishek’s attacking ability, describing him as one of the most fearless hitters in world cricket. Pathan particularly admired the way the opener plays shots on the off side, an area where his timing and power have made him a difficult batter to contain. His remarks served as a reminder of the importance of assessing a player’s overall ability rather than reacting immediately to a brief dip in form.
Abhishek responded emphatically to the criticism in Wellington, scoring 113 runs from just 38 deliveries, including nine fours and 11 sixes. He reached his century in only 35 balls, continuing his remarkable run of aggressive batting in the shortest format. His innings gave India control of a challenging chase and left New Zealand struggling to contain the scoring rate. Abhishek attacked both pace and spin, finding boundaries across the ground and maintaining pressure on the bowlers from the opening overs. His century was his fourth in T20 Internationals and his 11th in all T20 cricket, taking him past Virat Kohli’s tally of 10 T20 centuries among Indian batters. The knock underlined his ability to turn a match decisively in India’s favour when he finds his rhythm.
The left-hander also shared a spectacular opening partnership with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who scored 45 off 19 balls. Together, they added 133 runs in just 7.1 overs, setting the foundation for India’s rapid chase. Their assault produced 118 runs in the powerplay, establishing a new record for the highest powerplay total in men’s T20 Internationals. Sooryavanshi complemented Abhishek’s aggression with confident strokeplay, putting the New Zealand bowlers under pressure from the beginning. India eventually reached 199 for four in just 13.2 overs, completing the chase with 40 balls remaining. The six-wicket victory gave the visitors an unassailable lead in the series with two matches still to be played.
New Zealand had earlier posted 198 for three in their 20 overs, with Daryl Mitchell scoring an unbeaten 89 off 52 deliveries and Finn Allen contributing 40 from 25 balls. Their total appeared competitive, but India’s opening pair quickly changed the complexion of the contest. Abhishek’s ability to attack the bowlers without losing momentum proved decisive, while Sooryavanshi’s contribution ensured the required run rate never became a concern. The performance also reinforced the effectiveness of India’s aggressive approach in T20 cricket, in which top-order batters are encouraged to maximise scoring opportunities early in the innings. For Abhishek, the century was particularly significant because it followed a comparatively modest 27 off 21 balls in the previous match, demonstrating how quickly a batter can respond to scrutiny at the highest level.
Pathan’s comments highlighted the contrast between the criticism that can follow a quiet outing and the praise generated by a decisive performance. Abhishek’s latest innings has strengthened his position as an important part of India’s T20 batting plans, although consistency across matches will remain a key measure of his progress. India will next face New Zealand in the fourth T20I in Auckland on Friday, October 30, with the visitors already having secured the series. The remaining fixtures will provide further opportunities for the team to assess its combinations ahead of future assignments. For Abhishek, the immediate challenge will be to maintain the attacking intent and composure that powered his Wellington century, while continuing to deliver the kind of contributions that justify the confidence shown in him by former players such as Pathan.