Abhishek Sharma picked as top run-getter as Aussie legend makes bombshell IND-AUS T20I series predictions

Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke recently predicted that young Team India opener Abhishek Sharma would emerge as the top run-scorer in the upcoming five-match T20I series. However, the former batter backed the Mitchell Marsh-led team to win the five-match contest with a margin of 3-1.

India are set to begin their T20I series against Australia on Wednesday, October 29, in Canberra. After losing the ODI series 1-2, the visitors will look to bounce back and regain momentum. The Men in Blue secured a 2-1 series victory when they last toured Australia for the shorter format in 2020-21.

Michael Clarke Predicts Abhishek Sharma as Leading Run-Getter

Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Michael Clarke said that Abhishek Sharma has the skills to represent India across all three formats. Clarke stated that the left-handed batter has a complete range of shots and called him a “superstar” in the T20 format.

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"I think he's ( Abhishek) ready to play all three formats for India. It's hard, you can only have 11 players and six batters in. But I reckon he is an absolute superstar in this format. He opens the batting, a left-hander and has got all the shots," Clarke said.

Clarke predicted that Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa would finish as the top wicket-taker in the upcoming T20I series. Zampa, one of Australia’s most reliable performers in the format, has taken 131 wickets in 106 T20Is at an impressive average of 21.38 and an economy rate of 7.33.

Abhishek Sharma Has Been in Extraordinary Form in 2025

Abhishek Sharma has been in extraordinary form in 2025, scoring 593 runs in 12 T20Is at an average close to 50 and a strike rate above 200. The left-hander has scored 849 runs in 24 matches at an average close to 37 and a strike rate of 196.07, including two centuries and five fifties.

He last played for India during the Asia Cup 2025, where he won the Player of the Tournament award. The southpaw scored 314 runs at a strike rate of 200 and an average of 44.85.

Abhishek Sharma is also at the top of the ICC T20I batting rankings with a rating of 926. The upcoming five-match series will be his first appearance in Australia, where he will look to continue his remarkable run of form.

Michael Clarke Predicts Winner for the Australia-India T20Is

Michael Clarke predicted that Australia would defeat India 3-1 in the upcoming five-match T20I series, with one game possibly affected by rain.

He noted that both teams enter the contest in strong form. India have been dominant since their unbeaten 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, winning 24 of their next 27 matches.

Australia have bounced back impressively after their early World Cup exit, securing 16 wins in their last 18 T20Is and clinching four consecutive bilateral series victories.

However, India have dominated in recent head-to-head encounters. The Men in Blue have won seven of their last eight T20Is and have also claimed victory in the last three series against Australia.

Also read: Sachin Tendulkar left out of top 5 Indian ODI batters of all time; Virat Kohli takes the top