‘If Abhishek Sharma is in form, Josh Hazlewood will be out of form’ – Ex-India coach on IND vs AUS T20Is

Abhishek Sharma is the best T20 batter in the world at the moment. Rankings are one way to prove it, which he has in the bag anyway. But the Indian opener has something else as well. Just like Travis Head, Abhishek instills that fear in the opposition. You just know this guy will win the match on his own if we don’t get him out.

Abhishek spared no one in the 2025 Asia Cup as he recorded the highest-ever T20I rating. He didn’t just become the top scorer in the tournament but also had one of the highest averages and the best strike rates. It’s like having an anchor who’s also the best hitter.

Biggest battle of IND vs AUS T20Is?

Of course, one could argue that India and Abhishek didn’t play any of the 2026 T20 World Cup contenders in the Asia Cup. And that Abhishek hasn’t been tested enough. That’s why faces someone like Josh Hazlewood in the India vs Australia T20I series would be much stiffer test.

The tall Australian pacer was perhaps the best bowler of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 and has been on another level recently. In 2025, Hazlewood has 31 wickets at 17.67 and strikes nearly 2 in a match, 12.30. But former India assistant coach and rumoured new Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Abhishek Nayar thinks Abhishek won’t have any issues against Hazlewood.

“If Abhishek Sharma is in form, Hazlewood will be out of form. The way he bats, he is known to hit the first ball for a four or a six. If you instill fear in the powerplay, it continues throughout the innings. That is Abhishek Sharma’s impact on the game. If he bats for six overs, India will score between 60 and 80 runs. It will ease the pressure on his batting partner while increasing it for the opposition,” Nayar said on Star Sports.

Abhishek and Hazlewood have leveled up their skills in the recent few years but haven’t gone toe-to-toe. Although the pacer would have an advantage since he’s playing at home, Nayar doesn’t think left-handed batter would be uneasy on bouncy and fast tracks in Australia.

“It will be a big test for him, especially against Hazlewood, who is in good rhythm and extracting extra bounce. However, I feel that he has gained enough experience by playing in the IPL and in South Africa,” he said.

Abhishek Sharma vs Josh Hazlewood: T20 matchup

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