An Oddsworth Opinion
What sits behind Abhishek Sharma’s extraordinary strike rate?
The story
The Times of India argues that Abhishek Sharma’s hundred against Afghanistan reveals more than spectacular hitting. It presents his T20I strike rate of 194.55 and average of 33.18 as evidence of sustained aggression, while examining the cost of that approach.
The Times of India · 28 September at 00:30 BSTAbhishek's 30-ball ton hid the number that should really worry T20 bowlersRead the full storyThe Times of India sees Abhishek Sharma’s hundred against Afghanistan as evidence that his aggression has become sustainable. The strongest support comes from his wider batting: across men’s T20 cricket over the last two years, his strike rate is 192.5, against 130.1 for top-seven batters.
That comparison gives the innings its significance. Abhishek has sustained an attacking tempo that makes the benchmark look pedestrian. India should judge his failures with that scoring speed firmly in mind.
What the average earns him
Across those 80 men’s T20 innings, Abhishek averages 32.56, against 23.51 for top-seven batters over the same period. His aggression has left him comfortably above the batting benchmark on average as well. The case for giving him freedom rests on both measures.
That supports the report’s argument about consistency, provided we mean sustained returns across a substantial stretch of cricket. It gives India reason to accept cheap dismissals as part of his opening role. Demanding a substantial contribution every time would impose a standard his recent innings plainly do not meet.
The cost includes wasted balls
His 59 from 24 balls for India against England illustrates the reward. An innings at that pace gives the batting side immediate impetus, and makes a strong argument for letting him attack from the start.
Against Zimbabwe, however, he made 1 from 8 balls. That failure consumed deliveries without providing the acceleration that justifies his approach. We should be demanding about those innings: an attacking reputation cannot make a slow dismissal productive. The wider returns earn him patience, while that innings shows where improvement would matter.
Keep him attacking
Our ratings place Abhishek Sharma second among men’s T20 batters across every side, worth 8.08 runs a match more than an average player. That standing reinforces the argument for backing his opening role through cheap dismissals.
India should keep giving him the freedom to attack. Asking him to pursue security would undervalue the scoring pace that makes him so influential.