Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has backed India opener Abhishek Sharma to be a potential match-winner at the upcoming T20 World Cup, tipping the young left-hander to even finish as the tournament’s leading run-scorer.
The 25-year-old is set to make his maiden T20 World Cup appearance when the tournament begins on February 7, and Ponting believes Abhishek’s relative lack of experience at the global stage could work to India’s advantage.
“He’s a star,” Ponting said on the latest episode of The ICC Review.
“I actually think the lack of experience is a real positive. He could be the leading run-scorer and potentially the Player of the Tournament.
“That’s how good I think he is. If he fires, India becomes incredibly hard to beat. If he doesn’t, they’re as vulnerable as anyone else. That’s how important he is to this T20 World Cup for India.”
A member of India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning squad in 2018, Abhishek has made a rapid impact in T20 internationals, scoring 1,267 runs in 37 matches at a staggering strike rate of 194.92, including two centuries and eight fifties.
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Ponting, who first worked with Abhishek during his stint as head coach of Delhi Capitals in the IPL, recalled identifying his talent at an early age.
“I was his first IPL coach. He debuted with me at Delhi as a 17-year-old and made an immediate impact,” Ponting said.
“I think he hit his first ball for four or six straight back over the bowler’s head with a classical straight bat and held the pose. You could tell right then that there was something extra special about him.”
The former Australia skipper revealed he had strongly urged the franchise not to let Abhishek go, convinced the youngster was destined for the top.
“We eventually traded him away, but I pleaded and pleaded and pleaded, saying, ‘Please don’t do this. We’ve got to keep him, there’s an absolute superstar in the making,’” Ponting said.
“And that’s exactly what it’s turned out to be. I’ve got really high hopes for him this time.”
Abhishek has also warmed up impressively for the global showpiece, smashing 182 runs in five matches during India’s recent T20I series against New Zealand.
