Dinesh Karthik dismisses Abhishek Sharma’s struggles against off-spinners after NZ vs IND 3rd T20I

Former Indian wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik has dismissed the idea that Abhishek Sharma struggles to get going against the off-spinners after India won the third T20I against New Zealand by six wickets on Tuesday.

Sharma has been dismissed by off-spinners on four occasions after T20 World Cup 2026. He had struggled to get going against the off-spinners in the T20I showpiece.

However, Sharma scored a whirlwind knock 113 runs off 38 balls, including nine fours and 11 sixes in the third T20I against the Blackcaps in the run chase of 199. Karthik highlighted that the Indian opener is consistently producing such knocks for the team.

“He’s not producing such knocks every 5 or 6 innings, he is doing it in every 2 or 3 innings now. If he is getting out to off-spinners, if he does after hitting 30 off 10 or 12, it is okay. If he is getting out in the first two balls, he doesn’t know which way it is turning, or his technique is a problem, then it is a point of discussion,” Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

The RCB assistant coach highlighted how Sharma took on the attack against Michael Bracewell in the third T20I, smashing the off-spinner to 15 runs off four balls.

“He got 15 runs in 4 balls against Michael Bracewell in his first over. For a guy who is supposedly weak against off-spin. You take that any day, and you shouldn’t even be discussing it as a problem. It is just a matter of fact that he gets out to off-spin sometimes. That’s about it; there is nothing to worry about. I feel like he is the best opener in the world right now. For some time, he has shown that,” Karthik added.

Abhishek added 133 runs off just 43 balls with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to put India in the driver’s seat.

The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday.