“All teams have a plan for me” - Abhishek Sharma after winning POTM in 1st T20I vs New Zealand

Team India’s dashing opening batter Abhishek Sharma, who won the player of the match award in the first T20I against New Zealand, has revealed that he doesn’t rely on range-hitting, but on his instincts and timing in the shortest format of the game.

Opening the innings, Sharma went on to smash a 35-ball 84-run knock, featuring eight sixes and five fours, as India posted a daunting total of 238 runs for seven wickets, as they sealed a 48-run victory to take a 1-0 lead.

"We had a plan from day one and are just following it. I've figured out if you want to hit all balls or strike at 200, you have to carry intent. All teams have a plan for me. It's about my preparation. I'm going to back my instinct," said Abhishek at the post-match presentation.

"I don't feel my role is high-risk, wouldn't say this is my comfort zone. But I've been practising to go big in the first six. I never do range-hitting. I'm more of a timing batter, I need to watch the ball and get used to the conditions,” he added.

"For it, I plan in my net session. I feel, if you watch your batting videos, you get an idea of where the bowler bowls to you,” he concluded.

Delving into the details of the first T20I, India batted first after losing the toss, posting an imposing total of 238/7, courtesy of Abhishek Sharma's 84-run knock and Rinku Singh's 44-run unbeaten knock in the death overs.

In reply, New Zealand could score only 190/7 in 20 overs, losing the game by 48 runs. Middle-order batter Glenn Phillips' 78-run knock went in vain. For team India, Varun Chakravarthy and Shivam Dube pocketed two wickets each.

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