Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has high hopes for Team India opener Abhishek Sharma in the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup. Ponting, who believes Abhishek Sharma could be the Player of the Tournament and leading run-scorer, praised the 25-year-old’s incredible T20I record.
Abhishek Sharma, currently the top-ranked T20I batter in the world, has amassed 1,297 runs in 38 T20Is at an average of over 37 and a strike rate of almost 195. His stellar performance in the 2025 Asia Cup earned him the Player of the Tournament title, further solidifying his reputation as a top-class player.
Ponting expressed his admiration for Abhishek Sharma’s talent, highlighting his lack of experience as a positive attribute that could work in India’s favor. The former Australian captain emphasized the importance of Abhishek Sharma’s performance in the T20 World Cup, stating that his success could make India a formidable opponent in the tournament.
Reflecting on his time as Abhishek Sharma’s first IPL coach at Delhi Capitals (DC), Ponting recalled the left-hander’s debut in the 2018 season. Despite recognizing the youngster’s potential early on, Ponting revealed his disappointment in not being able to retain Abhishek Sharma at DC, as he believed the player had the makings of a superstar.
Since joining SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) after his stint with DC, Abhishek Sharma has shown significant improvement in his performance, consistently scoring over 400 runs in three of the last four IPL seasons. Ponting has high hopes for the young cricketer in the upcoming T20 World Cup, confident that Abhishek Sharma will continue to shine on the international stage.
As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma to lead India to victory with his exceptional batting skills. With Ponting’s endorsement and the support of his teammates, Abhishek Sharma is poised to make a significant impact in the 2026 T20 World Cup and solidify his reputation as one of the best T20I batters in the world.
