Brendon McCullum has heaped praise on Abhishek Sharma’s 135 knocks in the fifth T20I of the England tour of India 2025 and admitted that England had no answers to the young batter’s fearless assault in India’s stunning 150-run victory.
England head coach Brendon McCullum was stunned by Abhishek Sharma’s century in 37 deliveries. His aggressive strokeplay left England’s pace attack, featuring the likes of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, utterly stunned which was instrumental in India’s 247 total.
England collapsed under pressure as they got bowled out for 97 runs. Speaking after the match, McCullum accepted that England had no answers to Abhishek’s relentless assault, praising his ability to dominate even the best fast bowlers.
“First and foremost, the innings we saw from Abhishek is as good an innings as we’ve ever witnessed in T20 cricket. He’s not just doing it against any attack, he’s doing it against four guys who bowl 90mph and an absolute gun leg-spinner,’ McCullum said.
“I’m very realistic that when I see someone come out of the telephone box and play an innings like that, sometimes you throw all the different plans you want at it but if he’s hitting it like that, you really can’t stop it.”
“We’ve seen so many players over the years in this format that have been able to do it – Chris Gayle, Aaron Finch, AB de Villiers – and maybe Abishek Sharma is putting his hand up as one of those players,” he added.
The former New Zealand skipper, known for revolutionising aggressive batting with his ‘Bazball’ approach was thoroughly impressed by the left hander’s fearless stroke-making.
Abhishek Sharma smashed his fifty in 17 balls before taking another 20 deliveries to bring up his maiden T20I hundred.
While Abhishek boosted the side’s total, he also picked 2 wickets in the bowling unit. Meanwhile Shami picked 3/25 and played a key role in dismantling England’s much hyped ‘Bazball approach.’
India clinched a 4-1 series win in the five match T20I series, the Men in Blues will play their first match of the ODI series on February 06 at VCA Stadium.
