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IND vs ENG: India’s young T20 star, Abhishek Sharma, was in sensational form during the first T20 match against England, helping the host team chase down a target of 133 runs in just 12.5 overs. His explosive knock of 79 runs off 34 balls guided India to a commanding seven-wicket victory at Eden Gardens. Following his stellar performance, Sharma credited Gautam Gambhir’s coaching for empowering him to express himself freely on the field.
The Freedom to Express: Abhishek Sharma’s Thoughts After 1st IND vs ENG
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After the match, Abhishek Sharma was quick to acknowledge the role of both the team captain, Suryakumar Yadav, and coach, Gautam Gambhir, in creating an environment conducive to bold and attacking cricket. He stated, “I wanted to say my point, but would like to make a special mention of the captain (Suryakumar Yadav) and the coach (Gambhir), the freedom they have given us as youngsters is tremendous.”
This freedom, Sharma added, allowed him to play his natural game, an approach that was pivotal to his impressive performance. He emphasized that the atmosphere in the dressing room was unlike anything he had ever experienced before, with the team encouraging players to “express yourself” and “hit your shots from the first ball itself.”
Reflecting on his approach during the match, Sharma explained that his strategy was simple: “Play the same way as I used to play in the IPL.” This mindset paid off as he confidently faced England’s fast bowlers, including Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, using the pace of their deliveries to his advantage. Sharma knew that England’s bowlers were most likely to look for his weak spots with short deliveries, and he was geared up to execute a well thought out plan for that.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Leadership and the Team’s Aggressive Intent
After the win, India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, shared his thoughts on the team’s success and the aggressive brand of cricket they were looking to play. Yadav pointed out that winning the toss and setting the tone early with high energy had been crucial. He also praised the freedom the team had been given to play aggressively, saying, “We have been given a lot of freedom, we want to play a little differently.”
Yadav said that the team’s strategy was important, including the role of the bowlers, and how they were able to execute their plans without any issues. He further added that Hardik Pandya had the responsibility of bowling the new ball, which created space for the spinners, like Varun Chakraborty, to play a more significant role. The captain also praised Arshdeep Singh for taking on additional responsibility in the bowling department.
England’s Aggressive Approach Under Brendon McCullum
On the other side of the field, England captain Jos Buttler spoke about his team’s evolving approach under the leadership of their new coach, Brendon McCullum. McCullum, who had previously introduced an ultra-aggressive style of batting in the Test format, was now working to instill the same mindset in England’s T20 side. Buttler noted that the team was focused on being “aggressive” and that they were striving to bring that same intensity to all formats of the game.
Abhishek Sharma’s aggressive performance in the first T20 match against England was a testament to the environment of freedom and encouragement fostered by Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav. This approach not only allowed the young opener to showcase his talent but also played a crucial role in India’s dominant seven-wicket victory. As the team continues to adopt a more aggressive playing style, the emphasis on playing with freedom and confidence is likely to become a defining feature of India’s T20 approach in the future.
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