"He doesn't want to bat against...": Arshdeep Singh EXPOSES Abhishek Sharma

India left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh made a light-hearted revelation about teammate Abhishek Sharma after the first T20I match against New Zealand. The Punjab cricketer stated that the aggressive opener prefers not to face India’s own bowlers during net sessions, much to the relief of the bowling group.

India defeated New Zealand by 48 runs at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on Wednesday, January 21. Team India posted 238/7, with Abhishek Sharma (84 off 35 balls) and Rinku Singh (unbeaten 44 off 20) scoring key runs. In reply, New Zealand managed to score 190 for 7 wickets in 20 overs.

Abhishek Sharma Doesn’t Want to Bat Against Us - Arshdeep Singh

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Arshdeep Singh said that Abhishek Sharma usually avoids facing bowlers from his team during net sessions. The left-arm seamer also stated that it is enjoyable to watch him bat and expressed hope that the batter continues performing.

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"In the nets, he mostly says that he doesn't want to bat against us. He doesn't play against bowlers from his own team a lot. We are quite happy that we don't have to bowl to him."

"It's good to see him bat [so well]. We have played a lot together and the way he is dominating at this level, feels really good. Hopefully, he keeps playing the same way," the Team India pacer went on to add.

There Is Nothing To Be Worried About - Arshdeep Singh

India secured a convincing victory in the first T20I in Nagpur, but their bowlers conceded runs on a batting-friendly surface. However, Arshdeep Singh showed confidence in the bowling unit.

Arshdeep said that the spinners delivered important breakthroughs in the middle overs and felt there was no cause for concern. He added that when conditions offer more assistance, the spinners will have a bigger impact.

"They are doing well. Today as well, they took three wickets in the middle overs. There is nothing to be worried about. The wicket was very good for batting, so runs were bound to be scored. But, when there will be some help from the wicket, we will get to see different results in the middle overs. We have top class spinners," Arshdeep commented.

Abhishek Sharma Breaks Record to Become Fastest to 5,000 T20 Runs

Abhishek Sharma became the fastest player to score 5,000 runs in T20 cricket in terms of balls faced. The left-hander reached the landmark in just 2,898 deliveries, breaking the previous record held by Andre Russell, who had taken 2,942 balls.

Tim David (3,127 balls), Will Jacks (3,196), and Glenn Maxwell (3,239) also feature on the list. Abhishek reached his fifty in just 22 balls, showing his attacking intent from the start. This was the eighth time in his career that he scored a T20I fifty in 25 balls or fewer, the most by any batter in the format.

He surpassed Phil Salt, Suryakumar Yadav, and Evin Lewis, who have achieved the feat seven times each. His 22-ball fifty was also the fastest by an Indian against New Zealand in T20Is, going past the earlier mark of 23 balls jointly held by KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma.

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