Abhishek Sharma Set to Challenge Josh Hazlewood in T20I Series

India’s upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia is generating significant anticipation, particularly surrounding the performance of Indian cricketer Abhishek Sharma. Scheduled to begin on October 28, 2025, this series marks the first opportunity for Australian audiences to witness Sharma, currently ranked as the No. 1 T20I batter, in action.

Sharma’s recent form has been remarkable, and expectations are high that he will be a key player against Australia’s fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. India’s assistant coach has highlighted the showdown between Sharma and Hazlewood as a pivotal aspect of the series.

Sharma’s Impact and Hazlewood’s Challenge

According to India’s assistant coach, the dynamic between Sharma and Hazlewood will be crucial. He stated, “If Abhishek Sharma is in form, Hazlewood will be out of form.” This assertion underscores Sharma’s aggressive batting style, which often sees him scoring quickly and instilling pressure on bowlers right from the start.

The coach elaborated, “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.” He anticipates that if Sharma can maintain his form, India could score between 60 to 80 runs in the first six overs, significantly easing pressure on his batting partner while ramping up the challenge for the opposition.

Despite the excitement surrounding Sharma, the coach acknowledged the challenge posed by Hazlewood, who has been performing well and extracting extra bounce from the pitch. “It will be a big test for him, especially against Hazlewood, who is in good rhythm,” he noted. However, he expressed confidence in Sharma’s experience gained from playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and his time in South Africa, suggesting that he is more than capable of rising to the occasion.

As the series unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Abhishek Sharma can deliver on the expectations set for him, particularly in the face of formidable opponents like Josh Hazlewood. The outcome of this clash could have significant implications for both teams as they vie for supremacy in the shorter format of the game.