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"Reminds me of Sanath Jayasuriya": IPL winner compares Abhishek Sharma to SL legend

Akshita Patel

Abhishek Sharma gets big praise [Source: @Aiden_K_Markram, @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]Abhishek Sharma gets big praise [Source: @Aiden_K_Markram, @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

Abhishek Sharma is no longer just a promising youngster. His explosive approach at the top of the order has drawn comparisons with Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya, and former India batter Robin Uthappa believes the similarities are impossible to ignore. 

Sharma once again showed his value in the third T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala. Chasing a modest target of 117, India needed a fast start to avoid any pressure. 

Sharma delivered exactly that, smashing 35 off just 18 balls and finishing the chase in only 16 overs.

Robin Uthappa compares Abhishek Sharma to Jayasuriya

From the very first ball, Abhishek Sharma made his intent clear. He flicked Lungi Ngidi over fine leg for a six, sending an instant message to the opposition. That shot summed up his mindset, which is to attack first and ask questions later. 

According to former CSK opener Robin Uthappa, that early six set the tone for everything that followed.

“Even before the India-South Africa series, Sharma was playing the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and was just gunning teams down. So you knew he was in good form. It’s about spending some time out there, and I think that first ball from Lungi Ngidi really set things up for him," Uthappa said on JioHotstar.

What makes Sharma special is his clarity. He knows his role and sticks to it. India have given him the freedom to attack from ball one, and he has embraced it fully. 

"From there, there was no looking back. He understood that they were trying to stifle him with tight lengths on middle and leg stump, but if they erred even slightly, he was there to punish them,” he added.

This fearless style is exactly what made Sanath Jayasuriya a game-changer in the 1990s, when he transformed how opening batters approached limited-overs cricket.

“He’s already hit over 300 sixes in T20 cricket, which tells you what a powerful and dynamic batter he is. In fact, he reminds me of Sanath Jayasuriya—sheer dominance as an opening batter."

Uthappa pointed out that Abhishek Sharma already has more than 300 sixes in T20 cricket, a remarkable number for someone still early in his career.

"It instils intimidation and fear in bowlers, something you only see when players are in scorching form. Despite being a youngster, he’s had a prolific year. Teams are planning for him, trying to bowl in areas where he doesn’t score, but he seems to have solutions. That proactive thinking is quite amazing."

That kind of power, combined with confidence, creates pressure before the bowler even runs in. Bowlers try tight lines, short balls, and slower deliveries, but Sharma seems to find a response every time.

At just 25, Abhishek Sharma’s career is just getting started. His form will ultimately be the difference maker in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.