Abhishek Sharma was given a low score when tall pacer Marco Jansen took a stunning catch during the first T20I at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack
Abhishek Sharma falls for 17 against the Proteas
Left-handed batsman from Punjab, Abhishek Sharma, is currently ranked No. 1 in the ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings. He has emerged as India’s best batsman in T20I cricket in 2025 and is considered one of the best in the world.
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His consecutive exceptional performances helped him rise rapidly in the ICC rankings, and he has also become the batsman with the highest rating points in T20I history.
During the Australia tour, Abhishek Sharma played some eye-catching knocks but could not stamp his authority. The left-handed batsman was expected to do so in the T20I series opener against South Africa, but unfortunately that didn’t happen.
Abhishek was unable to hit the boundaries from the start and was then dismissed by Lutho Sipamla in the 7th over of the innings.
The pacer threw a long delivery on leg stump to Abhishek, who shuffled inside the line to hit the ball over fine leg ropes. However, he did not make a good connection with the ball.
Abhishek hit the ball towards fine leg, where Marco Jansen came running and dived to take a stunning catch and send the Indian batsman packing for 17 runs off 12 balls.
Watch: Marco Jansen ends Abhishek Sharma’s innings with a bang
pic.twitter.com/jVRkvAaQ4A
— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) December 9, 2025
He bats very well anyway – Irfan Pathan hails Abhishek Sharma
In a video shared on his official YouTube channel ahead of the match, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan lavished praise on Abhishek for his T20I heroics.
He also expressed his desire to see South African bowlers challenge the Indian batsman, which would only help Abhishek grow further and become a better batsman.
“The flow he bats with, the strike rate he bats at, say 190-200, and an average of almost 40, you won’t find another batsman who is as consistent when he plays in this style. South Africa could try bowling outside off stump, or they might even go for the short ball in the first or second ball of the innings itself. We have to see how Abhishek Sharma counters this.” said Irfan Pathan on his YouTube channel.
“If something is tried against Abhishek Sharma, that’s better because it will be an opportunity for Abhishek Sharma to counter that and improve. If South Africa doesn’t try anything new against him then that’s fine too, let it continue, he bats very well anyway.” said Irfan Pathan.
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