Abhishek Sharma placed on the same pedestal as Rohit Sharma

Abhishek Sharma played a belligerent knock in the first T20I between India and England at Eden Gardens, Kolkata to take his team to a comfortable win. Abhishek was at his destructive best during the match and played with utmost freedom.

After his brilliant knock, former India opener Aakash Chopra compared him with Rohit Sharma, who retired from T20Is after the T20 World Cup 2024. Chopra remembered the time when Rohit used to receive praise for his destructive batting when he was playing in the shortest format.

Aakash hailed Abhishek for an outstanding innings under pressure against a quality bowling attack. It was an important innings for the youngster who was under tremendous pressure coming into this game.

Also read: Shocking! Varun Chakravarthy gives a weird rating after heroics in the 1st IND vs ENG T20I

Aakash Chopra compares Abhishek Sharma with Rohit Sharma

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra compared Abhishek Sharma with Rohit Sharma and termed his knock against England in the first T20I as an important one. He hailed Abhishek for a brilliant innings against an outstanding bowling attack.

"Abhishek Sharma - we believe in karma, we believe in Sharma. We used to say that for Rohit. It's too early to say the same thing for Abhishek but he has done the Abhishek (an auspicious start). I thought it was an important innings," Chopra said.

"The opposing team had proper bowling - Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton. It's a good bowling attack. In such a scenario, you had to play well to score runs. He batted really well right from the start. He flicked Mark Wood for a six, then a six over third man and a straight four," he added.

Abhishek Sharma was aggressive right from the first ball and put the English bowlers under the pump. He was particularly attacking against Gus Atkinson and Adil Rashid and didn't stop himself once he was set.

"They could have looked at Yashasvi (Jaiswal)" - Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra feels that Yashasvi Jaiswal could have been included in Abhishek Sharma's place given the latter's poor outings with the bat in the last few T20Is. However, he delivered at the right time when the pressure was on him to perform.

"Abhishek Sharma was under pressure because he had been playing but hadn't scored too many runs. This team's template is to hit fours and sixes and maximize the powerplay, but if you get out three times, they only drop you," Chopra said.

"They could have looked at Yashasvi (Jaiswal). He could have played this series and nobody would have raised an eyebrow or batted an eyelid," he noted.

Yashasvi Jaiswal was in India's T20I squad even before Abhishek Sharma. Jaiswal was also in India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 but didn't get a game. However, he hasn't played any T20Is ever since Abhishek's T20I debut and was just considered for Tests.

Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy shine for India

Abhishek Sharma slammed 79 off just 34 deliveries to take India to a massive win in the first T20I against England. He smashed 5 fours and 8 sixes during his knock. He was at his aggressive best and displayed the full range of shots in an entertaining knock.

Earlier in the day, India restricted England to 132 in the first innings. The Men in Blue chased down the target in just 12. 5 overs on the back of Abhishek's magnificent knock. Varun Chakravarthy was chosen the Player of the Match for his 3-23 in four overs.