'When he starts batting, all grounds look small' - Aakash Chopra lauds Abhishek Sharma after heroics in 1st T20I vs Afghanistan

Abhishek Sharma Explodes as India Cruise Past Afghanistan in Opener

New Delhi, Sept 13 — India opened their T20I series against Afghanistan with a dominant seven-wicket win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, and Abhishek Sharma was the main man. Afghanistan posted a modest 157, but India chased it down in just 13.4 overs.

Sharma walked in during a rough spell — four consecutive single-digit scores and an average of 6.66 across his last six T20Is, with a poor 2026 season behind him (avg under 26, six ducks in 24 matches). He answered in the most explosive way possible: 82 off 32 balls, seven sixes, seven fours, reaching his fifty in just 22 deliveries. He was eventually dismissed but had already put the game beyond doubt, taking home Player of the Match.

The real match turned the 121-run second-wicket stand with Ishan Kishan (42 off 33). Sharma's aggression paired with Kishan's quick running completely blew Afghanistan's bowling attack apart.

Aakash Chopra nailed it after the game: "When Abhishek starts firing on all cylinders, all grounds look small." Chopra noted Sharma had pulled out of a slight lean patch after picking up runs in the SherEPunjab T20 League, and it clearly transferred to the international stage.

Bottom line: When Sharma fires, he's one of the most dangerous top-order bats in the format — and Delhi's small ground only adds to the threat.

Source: Crictracker