With the India-Pakistan blockbuster looming in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Aaron Finch made one thing clear: Abhishek Sharma's presence changes everything.
Speaking during a 'JioStar Media Day', the former Australia captain did not hold back in his praise for the Indian opener.
"Any team that has Abhishek Sharma in it is going to be better in T20 cricket. He's a superstar. His ability to destroy an attack from ball one and keep going in a way that not many other players in the world, if any, can match makes him a special player," Finch said.
Abhishek's aggressive starts have become central to India's T20 blueprint, and Finch believes his impact stretches beyond the scorecard. "So, I really hope he is well enough soon because I love watching
him play. It was unfortunate to see that he spent some time in the hospital unwell, and I wish him a speedy recovery," he added.
With fitness concerns hovering ahead of the Pakistan game, Finch also urged caution. "India is stacked, no doubt about that. Sanju Samson at the top got off to a flyer against Namibia, along with Ishan Kishan. As big as the game is, India would have one eye on the Super 8s, the semi-final, and the final. "
He emphasised long-term planning over short-term risk. "If Abhishek is still under the weather and you don't want to take a risk, that's totally fine. You can't win the tournament in the first phase, but you can certainly lose it. He's the most damaging player in world cricket, so you want him fit and firing. "
Finch concluded with a tournament perspective: "If that means taking a couple of extra days of rest, that's something you'd absolutely be prepared to do, regardless of how big the India versus Pakistan match looks on paper. You want your best players fit and healthy when the business end of the tournament comes around. "
Finch on Zimbabwe's upset
Finch also reflected on Australia's 23-run loss to Zimbabwe in Colombo. "Zimbabwe played beautifully and deserved the win. Then, with the ball, to rip the heart out of Australia in the Powerplay and have them four down was extraordinary. "
He praised their composure and structure. "The way they structured their total, to be only two down, was outstanding. Overall, it was a magnificent performance from Zimbabwe, and it shouldn't shock us anymore. They're a good side. "
On Associate nations more broadly, Finch acknowledged both promise and practical hurdles. "It's not as simple as saying Associate teams just need to play more against the top Test-playing nations. The cricket calendar is already very jam-packed. "
Still, he floated an idea. "I'd love to see more bilateral series, maybe even tri-series in T20 cricket. It gives you a helping hand when you get to a World Cup as well because it's a similar structure. "
For Finch, whether it is India's firepower or Zimbabwe's rise, this World Cup is proof of one thing: margins in T20 cricket are razor-thin, and match-winners like Abhishek Sharma make all the difference.
