Star batter Babar Azam has responded to criticism from former Pakistan players, asserting that there should be no room for 'below the belt' attacks on individuals. While admitting that facing scrutiny is part of the job, Babar claimed that 'personal attacks' have become far too common, especially within the Pakistan cricketing landscape. The former captain also sympathized with teammate Shadab Khan for speaking out against criticism from ex-players following the team's early exit from the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Responding to the likes of Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Yousuf, Shadab directed a sharp retort at the former players, noting that they were never part of a team that defeated India in a World Cup game. His comments have sparked a massive furore back in Pakistan. "When they speak about things, it's right, but if the current player has said something, it's not right. Anyway, it's a different ball game. Shadab said something in the...
Abhishek Sharma is currently playing at a level that has left opposition teams both shell-shocked and suspicious. During the third T20I against New Zealand in Guwahati on Sunday, the young Indian opener unleashed such a brutal assault on the New Zealand's bowlers that it prompted a hilarious mid-pitch inspection. In a video that has since gone viral, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, along with Devon Conway and Jacob Duffy, were seen closely examining Sharma's bat with smiles on their faces, perhaps checking for a hidden "spring" or some secret advantage.
Yesterday, New Zealand players were checking Abhishek Sharma's bat after the match.
— Space Recorder (@1spacerecorder) January 26, 2026
I don't recall any other player's bat being checked like this
The last time I remember opposition players checking a bat was during Sachin Tendulkar's era
pic.twitter.com/SEgwHktqcn
The light-hearted moment immediately triggered nostalgia for Indian cricket fans, reminding them of the 2003 World Cup final. Back then, a popular urban legend suggested that Ricky Ponting had used a "spring bat" to dismantle the Indian bowling attack. Two decades later, Abhishek Sharma's explosive power has revived those myths, though the reality is simply a young batter at the peak of his powers.
Chasing a target of 154, Abhishek turned the match into a highlight reel. He reached his half-century in just 14 balls—the second-fastest by an Indian in T20I history, falling just two balls short of Yuvraj Singh's iconic 2007 record. Remarkably, Abhishek did not play a single dot ball during his entire innings, finishing with an unbeaten 68 off 20 deliveries.
His blitz, combined with a quick-fire 57 from Suryakumar Yadav, allowed India to chase down the total in exactly 10 overs. This dominant performance gave India an invincible 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
New Zealand's Mark Chapman later praised the opener, stating that Abhishek's six-hitting ability is "second to none." The Punjab left-hander, who rose to fame with his fearless approach in the IPL, now boasts a staggering T20I strike rate of 195.22. As India prepares for their T20 World Cup title defence, Abhishek has sent a clear message to the world: it's not the bat, but the man wielding it, that is the real danger. With the series already in the bag, the action now moves to Vizag.
from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/3cl1BdN
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