NEW DELHI: New Zealand batter Mark Chapman has offered a fascinating insight into the batting prowess of India's rising star Abhishek Sharma, suggesting that his breathtaking six-hitting spree is far more than mere raw aggression. According to Chapman, it represents a product of sharp awareness and meticulous planning, as the visitors look to absorb crucial cues from the Indian opener ahead of next month's T20 World Cup.
Abhishek Sharma's Dominant Performance
Abhishek continued his scorching form on Sunday, delivering an unbeaten 68 off just 20 balls, which included a remarkable 14-ball fifty. His explosive innings powered India to chase down a 154-run target in a mere 10 overs, sealing an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series. The knock was laced with five towering sixes, underlining India's complete dominance and leaving the New Zealand team searching for effective answers.
Chapman's Detailed Analysis
"To be honest, their batting has been dynamic and explosive," Chapman stated after the match. "I haven't seen much of him play in person, but his six-hitting ability is second to none. Just the way he goes about it, he seems like he's really putting some thought into his batting."
Abhishek has tormented the Kiwi bowlers throughout the series. In the opening game, he smashed eight sixes in a blistering 35-ball 84, helping India post a daunting 238/7 before cruising to victory. Chapman admitted that when a batter is in such formidable form, there is little margin for error for the opposition.
The Nature of T20 Cricket
"That's just the nature of T20 cricket. When someone's playing really well, they can be hard to stop at times," he explained. "There's a lot for us to look at and review. In all three facets, we can definitely improve."
Ideal Preparation for the World Cup
Despite the series defeat, Chapman felt that the contest against India served as ideal preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup, where New Zealand will open their campaign against Afghanistan in Chennai on February 8.
"There's no better preparation for a World Cup than facing one of the best T20 teams in the world," he emphasized. "It's great to see the way they're going about their business, so hopefully we can learn one or two things from them."
Addressing Powerplay Struggles
Chapman also pointed to New Zealand's powerplay struggles, contrasting them sharply with India's explosive starts. "It's not ideal losing early wickets, but you have to give credit. I thought the Indians bowled really well," he said, adding that the focus now is on fine-tuning their strategies over the final two games of the series.
The analysis from Chapman highlights not just the technical aspects of batting but also the mental preparation required at the highest level of T20 cricket. As teams gear up for the global tournament, such insights become invaluable for refining tactics and enhancing performance under pressure.
