Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has shared his thoughts on Abhishek Sharma, a player he believes is destined to shine. Abhishek holds the top spot as the No. 1 T20I batter ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Ponting reflected on his time as coach of Delhi Capitals in the 2018 IPL and noted that he urged the team not to trade the young left-hander, a plea that was ultimately ignored.
“I was his first IPL coach. He debuted with me at 17 years old in Delhi and made an immediate impact,” Ponting stated.
Ponting recounted the first time he saw Abhishek play, recalling a bold shot that highlighted the young player’s unique skill.
“He debuted with me, I think as a 17-year-old in Delhi and made an immediate impact. He hit his first ball for four or six straight back over the bowler’s head, holding the pose. You could see then that there was something special,” Ponting said during the ICC review.
Despite Ponting’s objections, Delhi Capitals traded Abhishek to Sunrisers Hyderabad before the 2019 season, a decision that still troubles him.
“We ended up trading him away from Delhi, but I pleaded continuously, saying, please don’t do this. We’ve got to keep him; there’s a superstar in the making here, and that’s what he has become. I have high hopes for him,” Ponting recalled.
Since then, Abhishek has proven Ponting’s predictions right. Following an impressive 19-ball 46 on his IPL debut, he has become one of the most formidable power-hitters in T20 Cricket. He has been a reliable performer for Sunrisers Hyderabad, and his recent International play has been striking.
Ponting believes Abhishek’s fearless batting style could significantly impact the upcoming World Cup, even suggesting he could emerge as a top run-scorer and a candidate for Player of the Tournament.
India will commence their World Cup journey on February 7 in Mumbai against the USA.
