Former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra took the “shut up till you hear” challenge on the more explosive T20 batsman than Indian legend Abhishek Sharma. After remaining silent on a large pool of batsmen, the Indian finally broke his silence on the RCB star.
India have excelled in the T20I format since the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. In the shortest format of the game, India did not miss former captain Rohit Sharma and experienced batsman Virat Kohli for a single day and the credit for this goes to the new generation of Indian batsmen.
Abhishek Sharma made his name at the top of the Indian batting order. He was selected for the Sunrisers Hyderabad team after an explosive 2024 IPL season and has never been dropped since then. Sharma became the second fastest player for India to score 1000 T20 runs.
Abhishek Sharma led India to victory by playing a thrilling innings in Guwahati.
Abhishek Sharma has not spared any team in the world. The left-handed opening batsman for India is known to make best use of the powerplay. He has scored fearlessly in South Africa, Australia, India and whatever country or opposition he has played against.
This left-handed batsman was also the highest run scorer for India in the Asia Cup. Despite scoring over 1000 runs, Abhishek has a career strike rate of over 195. In 36 matches, he has scored 1267 runs at an average of 38.39 and his eight half-centuries include two centuries for India.
He made a brilliant start to the series against New Zealand with an aggressive knock of 84 runs off 35 balls and later followed up with another impressive performance of 68* off 20 balls in the third game in Guwahati, where India clinched the series against New Zealand.
Aakash Chopra said that he is a more explosive T20 batsman than Abhishek Sharma!
Former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra was challenged to remain silent until he heard the name of the batsman who is currently more explosive than India’s Abhishek Sharma. The presenter named many modern batsmen, and Chopra’s choice will not surprise you.
However, the presenter did not name players like Shahid Afridi, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and Glenn Maxwell as they can be named as all-rounders and not batsmen. However, he named many big names like Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers, Virender Sehwag, Nicholas Pooran, Heinrich Klaasen, David Warner, Adam Gilchrist, who inspired Chopra to speak, but he did not do so.
Finally, when Universe Boss Chris Gayle’s name was taken, he made his point. Aakash Chopra argued that Gayle has been doing this consistently for more than two decades, and he finished as the format’s leading run-scorer.
Aakash Chopra said, “It’s the universe, boss. He did this for a long time. A decade. Abhishek may actually overtake him eventually, but now it’s the universe boss.”
Wait for it pic.twitter.com/km3da5R9Rv
– ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) 26 January 2026
Will Abhishek Sharma get a new opening partner in Ishan Kishan?
The Indian openers have been unstoppable on their side, but since 2025, they have not found a strong opening partner who can score runs from the other end. First Shubman Gill and now Sanju Samson have failed to score runs at the top.
Ishan Kishan, who has been placed at no. 3 for India, got some great touch and pairing with Abhishek at the top of the order could be ideal. Two destructive batsmen can be a threat to any opposition team in the power play.
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