Having spent time with Abhishek in 2021 and 2022 as a batting coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the 'Prince of Trinidad' watched Abhishek's growth from a floater to a hard-hitting opener paired with Travis Head from close quarters.
With the series up 1-0 in favour of Australia all ready, both teams will be having their second duel on Friday. Kiwis would be aiming to level the scores and keep themselves in the hunt for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes vice-captain Travis Head's aggressive approach could give Australia early momentum against England's pace attack in the upcoming home Ashes series.
Abhishek is currently setting a new benchmark in T20 cricket with his hitting. While always known as a genuine six-hitter, his hitting went to the next level when he was paired with Australian superstar Travis Head in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Australian batters Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Cameron Green improved their ICC ODI batting rankings of the ICC Men's ODI Player rankings on Wednesday following their exceptional performances in the third and final ODI of the series against South Africa.
Wiaan Mulder and South Africa hit a new low while Australia's Cooper Connolly soared to new heights after the Baggy Greens ruthlessly pummelled the Proteas in the final ODI in Mackay on Sunday.
Marsh and Head achieved this feat in the third ODI against South Africa at Mackay. The duo added a staggering 250 runs for the opening wicket, just falling short of the all-time record for Australia by 34 runs.
Ever since last year, Australian T20I side has been a power-packed unit, with hitters after hitters in their line-up. Bowlers cannot even breathe a sigh of relief after a wicket as the other one arrives to tonk right from ball one the next minute. Since last year, they have been leading the
Australia T20I captain Mitchell Marsh confirmed that they have locked in the opening pair in the lead up to next year's T20I World Cup, set to be held in India and Sri Lanka.
Abhishek Sharma now sits atop the rankings with 829 points, surpassing Australia's Travis Head (814 points) and his fellow Indian Tilak Varma (804 points), as per the ICC.
Left-hand batter Travis Head and right-arm seamer Josh Hazlewood returned to the national team as Australia announced a 14-member squad for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against South Africa, as per the ICC.
Tim David produced a spectacle with his brute force to blaze his way to the fastest T20I century for Australia and propel his side to a 3-0 unassailable lead in the five-match series at Warner Park.