Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa has lavished high praise on young opener Abhishek Sharma, comparing him to Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya for his dominant batting style that "instills intimidation and fear in bowlers." The remarks came after Abhishek's explosive knock powered India to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the third T20I at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, giving the hosts a 2-1 series lead.

India's bowling unit set up the win by restricting South Africa to a modest 117 in 20 overs, with every bowler claiming at least one wicket in a disciplined display. The chase of 118 proved straightforward for the home side, largely due to Abhishek's aggressive approach at the top. Speaking on JioStar, Uthappa highlighted the left-hander's confidence, noting his prolific form in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he consistently dismantled opposition attacks.

Uthappa emphasised Abhishek's ability to capitalise on any bowling errors, particularly after surviving an early delivery from Lungi Ngidi that set the tone for his innings. "He reminds me of Sanath Jayasuriya—sheer dominance as an opening batter," Uthappa said, pointing to Abhishek's tally of over 300 sixes in T20 cricket as evidence of his power and dynamism. The former cricketer added that such commanding performances come only from players in "scorching form" and showcase proactive thinking against targeted bowling plans.

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Uthappa also commended captain Suryakumar Yadav for his astute leadership, praising the well-paced rotation and substitution of bowlers. As the series heads into its decisive phase, Abhishek's emergence as a fearless opener has bolstered India's T20 lineup, drawing parallels to Jayasuriya's revolutionary role in transforming limited-overs cricket during the 1990s. The victory underscores India's depth and momentum in the shortest format ahead of upcoming international commitments.

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