Anil Kumble Compares Abhishek Sharma to Virender Sehwag Ahead of IPL 2026
In a recent interview, former India captain and legendary spinner Anil Kumble has drawn a striking comparison between the batting style of young cricketer Abhishek Sharma and the iconic former India opener Virender Sehwag. This analysis comes just ahead of the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, where Sharma is set to play for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Kumble's Insight on Sharma's Aggressive Approach
Speaking to JioStar, Kumble elaborated on the similarities, noting that both players share a fearless, attacking mindset at the crease. "I would relate him to someone like Virender Sehwag, because he would look to smash every ball," Kumble stated. He further explained that Sehwag, despite transitioning across formats, maintained a high strike rate, often between 140 and 150, a trait he sees in Sharma.
Abhishek Sharma has been impressive in recent IPL seasons, amassing over 400 runs in the last two editions with a strike rate hovering around 200. However, Kumble emphasized the need for Sharma to balance his aggressive play with consistency. "That's something Abhishek Sharma needs to start thinking about," he advised. "You have to play a number of balls. If Abhishek Sharma bats 20 balls in an innings, we know he will be close to that 50 mark."
The Path to Greatness: Maturity and Consistency
Kumble highlighted the importance of maturity in T20 cricket, citing examples like Sanju Samson, who has learned to convert starts into substantial scores. "We saw that with Sanju Samson, not getting out in the 40s or 50s, but making it count by going deeper, getting to that 85-90 mark. That's what you need in the T20 format," he said. Kumble expressed optimism that Sharma will exhibit this kind of growth in the upcoming season, something SRH is eagerly anticipating.
Discussing what separates a good player from a great one, Kumble praised Sharma's capabilities. "I think Abhishek Sharma has all the capabilities of becoming a great player," he remarked. He pointed out that Sharma is already the number one T20 international player in his short career, dominating bowlers with an intimidating style. However, Kumble cautioned that maintaining consistency with such an approach can be challenging from a team perspective.
"With that kind of intimidating style of batting, it's difficult to maintain consistency, especially from a team's perspective," Kumble noted. He credited India's management for handling Sharma well, ensuring other batters stepped up to support him, a dynamic that has also benefited him at SRH, where he enjoys the freedom to bat aggressively.
Addressing Technical Challenges
Kumble also touched upon Sharma's past struggles against off-spin bowling, a weakness that was evident during the World Cup. "In the World Cup, he either got out to off-spinners or had to play them out, which he managed in the final and got that fifty," Kumble recalled. He stressed that overcoming such technical hurdles is crucial for long-term success. "If you want to become a great player and a consistent one, what's critical is not just what you can do, but what you should not do, and controlling that in your mind will be the key," he added.
SRH Squad for IPL 2026
As the IPL 2026 season approaches, the Sunrisers Hyderabad have assembled a strong squad, including key players like:
- Travis Head
- Ishan Kishan
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Ravichandran Smaran
- Abhishek Sharma
- Pat Cummins
- Harshal Patel
- Jaydev Unadkat
This lineup is expected to provide a supportive environment for Sharma to thrive and potentially fulfill the high expectations set by legends like Anil Kumble.
Kumble's comparison not only highlights Sharma's potential but also sets the stage for an exciting IPL season, where fans will be watching closely to see if the young star can emulate the success of a cricketing great like Virender Sehwag.
