Former South African superstar AB de Villiers has heaped praise on India’s young opener Abhishek Sharma, backing him to excel in his first international tour of Australia later this month. India are scheduled to play a white-ball series Down Under in October, and de Villiers believes the conditions will suit the left-hander’s natural game.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the legendary batter described Abhishek as “in the form of his life” after a stellar run in the recently concluded Asia Cup, where he finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer. De Villiers said the pace and bounce of Australian pitches could bring out the best in the Indian opener.
“Abhishek Sharma is in the form of his life; some even say he is the best opening batter in the world right now in this format. It will be great to see how he goes in Australia. I think he will enjoy the conditions because there’s quite a bit of bounce,” de Villiers remarked.
The former Proteas captain also spoke in detail about Abhishek’s technique and range of stroke play, qualities that make him one of the most exciting batters to watch in the shortest format.
“He likes freeing up his arms over the off-side, opening the blade and hitting boundaries from point to third man. He can also clear the leg side with ease. He is an all-round player and a fantastic batter to watch,” de Villiers added.
Abhishek, who was pivotal in India’s unbeaten Asia Cup campaign, scored 314 runs in seven matches, emerging as the standout performer with the bat. His explosive starts at the top of the order provided India with the foundation to dominate some of Asia’s toughest bowling attacks.
The 23-year-old’s upcoming tour of Australia will mark his first taste of international cricket in those conditions. Known for its challenging pitches and larger grounds, Australia has often tested the adaptability of young subcontinental players. However, given his confidence and current form, Abhishek will be eager to make an immediate impact.
His most recent overseas assignment came during the T20I series in South Africa in late 2024, where he registered a half-century in Centurion. With the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled to be hosted in India next year, the series Down Under will be a crucial opportunity for Abhishek to strengthen his place in the squad and gain valuable experience against top-quality opposition.
As India build towards the global event, all eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma to see if he can translate his Asia Cup heroics into consistent performances on Australian soil.
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