Former Indian cricketer S Badrinath has made a strong statement by naming Abhishek Sharma as the best batter in T20 cricket right now while taking a brutal dig at the English media over Harry Brook. Badrinath was highly impressed with Abhishek Sharma’s aggressive batting and believes that he has the ability to create fear among opposition bowlers, especially during the powerplay.

The cricket pandit has further gone on to mock the English media's claims about Harry Brook being the best T20 batter. The left-handed opening batter is currently representing India in the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand. Earlier, Yuvraj Singh urged BCCI to give Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ODI chances.

S Badrinath picks Abhishek Sharma over Harry Brook as the best T20 batter

S Badrinath has described Abhishek Sharma as a devastating hitter whose batting is on another level. The former cricketer believes that even though the Indian opener has a young and innocent appearance, his aggressive batting makes life difficult for bowlers.

Badrinath said in a video on his YouTube channel, "I think Abhishek is one of the most devastating hitters. It is enough to instill fear within the bowlers in the powerplay even though he has a baby face. His batting is on the next level. The English media can say Harry Brook is the best right now. But there is no chance. It is Abhishek, and he has got the numbers.”

Harry Brook and Abhishek Sharma's numbers

He also highlighted the difference between Harry Brook and Abhishek through their numbers. England’s white-ball captain has so far scored 4835 runs in 194 T20 matches at an average of 35.03 and a strike rate of 157.64, including five centuries and 20 half-centuries.

On the other hand, Abhishek has amassed 6633 runs in 221 matches at an average of 33.16 and an impressive strike rate of 179.27. He also has 11 centuries and 40 half-centuries to his name. Amid this, Stephen Fleming supports Team India's decision to drop Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in 4th T20I vs New Zealand.

Badrinath slams India's constant changes in opening combination

Badrinath also shared his thoughts on India's changing opening combination in the ongoing T20I series in New Zealand. He felt that the team needed to settle on one opening pair instead of making regular changes after constant shuffling, especially Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

In the second T20I, Abhishek and Sanju Samson opened, while Vaibhav batted at number three. However, Abhishek and Vaibhav opened in the third match. India then returned to the Abhishek-Samson opening combination for the fourth T20I after Ishan Kishan returned to the playing XI.

Badrinath believes that Samson deserves a clear role in the batting order and that India must finalize its opening combination and stick with it after India lost the fourth T20I to New Zealand by 87 runs in Auckland. The fifth and final T20I is scheduled for November 1 in Hamilton.

He signed off by saying, “Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Abhishek opened, and that was a surprise for me. I am still confused. Yes, India made 118 in the powerplay. But who should open? Vaibhav or Sanju Samson? Samson at three, I feel, is not fair. I don't know where this is going. But if they decide something, they need to stick to it.”