ZIM vs IND 2024: We don’t feel much pressure when we came to represent the country – Abhishek Sharma credits IPL for lack of nerves

India’s rookie batter Abhishek Sharma said he didn’t feel the extra of representing the country at the top level as he has the experience of playing crunch matches in the Indian Premier League in front of packed crowds. Sharma was dismissed for a duck in his debut match against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club, Harare on Saturday.

However, on Sunday, on the same pitch, the southpaw smashed a 46-ball 100 before getting dismissed on the next ball. The left-hander smashed seven fours and eight sixes in his blistering knock as he took the opposition bowlers to the cleaners to help India post a gargantuan total of 234 runs.

Sharma was also dropped twice by Wellington Masakadza when he was on 27 and 77 and he made the most of his extra lives. Furthermore, Sharma raced to 82 to 100 with the help of three consecutive sixes. The pugnacious left-hander said T20 cricket is about intent and he means business from the get-go.

“I think IPL plays a big role in this because as a youngster, as a debutant, we didn’t feel much pressure when we came to represent the country,” Abhishek said. “It’s always a great motivation once you are playing for the country. Unfortunately, it didn’t go well in yesterday’s game, but my mindset and intent was same. I had a word with the other debutants too, we’ve all played cricket together a long time, since U14 days I’d say. I think it’s all about approach in T20, about intent. If I show intent and if it is my day, it usually goes like this.”

Abhishek credited his father, for encouraging him to play lofted shots since he is a kid. “All this is due to the hard work I’ve done,” he said. “Special thanks to my dad who always encouraged me to play lofted shots even when I was a kid. Usually, coaches don’t allow you to play lofted shots much. My dad used to tell me that if you want to play a lofted shot, it should go out of the ground. For me, it’s always been there from my childhood that if I’m confident, I like to express myself.”

The youngster was awarded Player of the Match for his fine knock. The third T20I of the series will be played at the same venue on Wednesday.