'Phenomenal like Gayle': Kapugedera hails Abhishek Sharma as India’s T20 gamechanger

NEW DELHI: Former Sri Lanka cricketer Chamara Kapugedera heaped praise on India’s dynamic opener Abhishek Sharma, comparing his influence at the top of the order to a prime Chris Gayle and underlining the left-hander’s importance to India’s T20 success over the past year.

Over the last 12 months in T20Is, Abhishek has struck at over 170 while averaging in the mid-30s, registering multiple half-centuries. His powerplay strike rate has consistently been among the best for Indian openers, putting bowlers under early pressure and allowing the middle order to play with freedom.

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"India's success in the last one year, (has) mainly depended on Abhishek Sharma, the star because the way he batted the past year, I think that's phenomenal.

"I haven't seen anyone doing that except for Chris Gayle when we were starting. I don't think anyone can replace Abhishek Sharma at the moment in the Indian team," Kapugedera told PTI Videos.

Why Abhishek gives India freedom

Drawing a comparison with wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, Kapugedera said Abhishek’s attacking approach enables India to shape their innings around him, especially through the middle overs.

"Yes, Sanju (Samson) is a great player. We have seen him scoring 100s, but the way Abhishek scores runs, it gives India so much of freedom to play around him or do whatever they want actually in the middle overs.

"So, what Abhishek gives is important to India going forward in this (T20 World Cup) campaign, especially for getting into the final."

No clear edge for Pakistan

Kapugedera believes Pakistan do not enjoy any obvious advantage ahead of the high-voltage clash against India on Sunday, despite having played all their matches at the venue.

"There's no advantage for Pakistan in the game here as the conditions in Colombo may not necessarily offer steep bounce. Unlike the SSC (Sinhala Sports Club) surface, known for sponge bounce and carry, the Premadasa wicket is generally lower and slower, often gripping as the game progresses," opined Kapugedera.

"I think going into the match, India will be the favourites, but the way Pakistan is playing, it's going to be a very close game," he said.

Handling spin and tough pitches

On batting on two-paced surfaces like the Premadasa Stadium track, Kapugedera advised Indian batters to show patience early before accelerating.

"It's (pitch) not sort of adverse, but I think these guys know this more than me. I think the game has moved forward, but these guys know inside-out about T20 cricket and batting.

"But the only thing I can say is if the wicket gets tough, give yourself a bit of chance, get set, get yourself in, and then I think India batsmen can capitalise and accelerate in any situation because they can hit sixes anytime they want... all the batsmen are capable of hitting sixes against any opposition and any bowler," he said.

Touching upon the spin battle between India and Pakistan, Kapugedera stressed that control would be decisive, singling out Varun Chakravarthy for his precision.

"Well, I think all these spinners, one thing in common is their control over whatever they do, because they have variations like 3 or 4 variations. But I think the control they possess is the main key, because you can have so many balls, but if you don't have the control, you're going to go for runs easily.

"Especially want to mention someone like Varun Chakravarathy, the control he has and majority of his deliveries after pitching are darting straight into the stumps...this is what will be the key for tweakers -- discipline and control will ultimately decide the contest. Because on a track like Premadasa, pace off the ball and accuracy matters more than bounce," he signed off.

(With PTI Inputs)