Anil Kumble Compares Abhishek Sharma to Virender Sehwag Ahead of IPL 2026
Kumble's Insights on Abhishek Sharma's Batting Style
In a recent discussion, former Indian captain and renowned spinner Anil Kumble drew parallels between Abhishek Sharma's batting approach and that of legendary opener Virender Sehwag, as the anticipation builds for the IPL 2026 season.
Abhishek has accumulated over 400 runs in the past two IPL seasons while representing Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), boasting an impressive strike rate nearing 200.
Kumble remarked, "I see a resemblance to Virender Sehwag in Abhishek's game, as he aims to hit every delivery. Transitioning from Test cricket to ODIs and then to T20s, Sehwag adapted his innings pacing. However, he maintained a strike rate around 140-150," during an interview with JioStar.
He further advised, "Abhishek should consider his current strike rate of 200 and reflect on whether he should aim for a 300 strike rate. The key is to remain grounded. If he faces 20 balls, he could easily approach the 50-run mark. We witnessed this with Sanju Samson, who, instead of getting out in the 40s or 50s, capitalized on his innings, reaching scores of 85-90. This is crucial in T20 cricket. Perhaps we will see this maturity in Abhishek this season, which SRH is counting on."
Kumble also highlighted the traits that distinguish a good player from a great one, stating, "Abhishek Sharma possesses the potential to become an exceptional player. Despite his brief international career, he currently ranks as the top T20 international player. He exerts pressure on bowlers, but such an aggressive batting style can make consistency a challenge, particularly from a team perspective. India managed this well with Abhishek, as other players stepped up, which is essential for his success. This is why he thrives at SRH, where he enjoys the freedom to express his batting."
Additionally, Kumble addressed Abhishek's struggles against off-spin, noting, "He has likely worked on his weaknesses against off-spinners. During the World Cup, he either fell to off-spinners or had to defend against them, but he successfully navigated this in the final, scoring a fifty. To evolve into a great and consistent player, it's vital to recognize not only what you can do but also what you should avoid. Mastering this mental aspect will be crucial."
SRH Squad for IPL 2026
The Sunrisers Hyderabad squad for the upcoming IPL 2026 season includes: Salil Arora, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Ravichandran Smaran, Aniket Verma, Abhishek Sharma, Brydon Carse, Harsh Dubey, Jack Edwards, Liam Livingstone, Kamindu Mendis, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Mavi, Pat Cummins, Amit Kumar, Krains Fuletra, Praful Hinge, Eshan Malinga, Harshal Patel, Sakib Hussain, Shivang Kumar, Onkar Tarmale, Jaydev Unadkat, and Zeeshan Ansari.