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Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has rated in-form opener Abhishek Sharma better than T20 legend Chris Gayle who has several records in his name in the format. Kaif said that Gayle used to be explosive but picked his battles when the ball was moving. He feels Gayle wasn't as intimidating as Abhishek and respected the good bowlers at times, batting smartly against them.
"I do think that Abhishek Sharma is batting like Chris Gayle. But he is batting better than Chris Gayle. When the ball used to move or turn, Chris Gayle would pick one bowler and target him. He could hit one bowler for five sixes, but he also played a maiden over when there was some movement,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
"He is becoming even more dangerous than Chris Gayle as he hits six on the first ball itself. Against Shaheen Afridi, he hit a six with a pull, stepped out and hit a four, then another six on the next ball. Chris Gayle didn't do this. I have played with him for two years in RCB. He used to bat very smartly, giving respect to good bowlers. Abhishek Sharma is intimidating the bowlers," he added.
Abhishek has been splendid form in the T20 Asia Cup 2025. He is striking at a strike rate of 204.63. No batter in the tournament with 100 or more runs came close to his strike rate. From six innings, he has scored 309 runs at an average of 51.50. He has scored three consecutive fifties at the Super Fours stage. Also, he has hit 19 sixes where most batters have struggled to hit a few.
Kaif doesn’t want Gill copying Abhishek’s approach
Kaif feels that Abhishek's opening partner Shubman Gill is trying to copy his ultra-aggressive approach. He went on to say that Gills' batting plan is lost as he is not sticking to his natural game.
"I feel that in the first match, he was trying to match Abhishek Sharma and play ultra-aggressive cricket. He got out doing that. Then after two matches, he did what he is known for, play proper cricketing shots. He is a classical batter who plays on merit. I think he now feels that he will have to score at the same strike rate as Abhishek Sharma. His batting game plan has been lost somewhere," said the 44-year-old.
Gill has scored 115 runs from six innings at an average of 23, and strike rate of 155.40.
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