Ravi Shastri and Kevin Pietersen believe this Indian will be the most impactful player in 2026 WT20

Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri speaking in an event to mark the launch of partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and the ICC said that Abhishek Sharma would be the most impactful player in the upcoming

T20 World Cup When he was asked to name one player who will be the most impactful player, Ravi Shastri said “Abhishek, without a shadow of a doubt. (He’s the) No. 1 T20 batsman in the world (and is) in a rich vein of form. Last evening, he took the game away from New Zealand. You’ve got to watch out for him because his confidence level is high. He’ll be backed by the home crowd and if he takes off, it means India take off,”

Abhishek Sharma broke the record of the fastest batter in the world to score 5000 runs in T20 cricket. The left hand batter achieved this feat in the first T20I against New Zealand, which is taking place at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. He scored 84 runs from just 35 balls where smashed 5 fours and 8 sixes and also completed 5000 runs in the 20-over format of the game.

Abhishek smashed eight sixes which helped him break the record of most sixes in a T20I match by an Indian batter against the Black Caps. His eight sixes took his tally to 309 sixes. Abhishek hits one six every 9.3 balls and has surpassed some of the cleanest hitters in the game including Yuvraj Singh.

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen said that Dewald Brevis would be the player to watch out for but acknowledged that Abhishek Sharma is a proper star and he enjoys the batting of the left-hander. Also Read | India beat New Zealand by 48 runs in the first T20I, Abhishek and Rinku shine

Kevin Pietersen said “Remember when Abhishek got that 150 (135 off 54 balls; 7 fours, 13 sixes) against England at the Wankhede (Stadium) last year. We interviewed him after the game. Ijust put my hand on his shoulder and I said, ‘young man, that is the best T20 innings I’ve ever seen in international cricket’. That kid is a proper star,” he added

In the T20I format, Abhishek Sharma averages 33 at strikes at 171.65 already has eight centuries. He was splendid in the opening game against NZ scoring 84.