Legendary Sunil Gavaskar has heaped praise on Abhishek Sharma after India decimated Zimbabwe by 72 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Thursday. Sharma, who was under all sorts of pressure, scored a crucial knock of 55 runs off just 30 balls.

This was the left-hander’s maiden T20 World Cup fifty and it would have certainly added a shot in his arm after he went through a rough patch in the first four games he played. Gavaskar noted that Abhishek wasn’t rushing down the pitch, as he was doing in the earlier matches.

Abhishek’s emphasis was on timing the ball against Zimbabwe and he was able to deliver the goods in a must-win contest.

Sunil Gavaskar said on India Today, “He stroked the first ball off the back foot for a single. Got off the mark, then he hit a couple of boundaries. But again, what was most impressive was the fact that he wasn’t rushing down the pitch like he tends to do, even before the ball has been bowled. So, he didn’t play any premeditated shots today. He played according to the delivery.”

After India’s comprehensive win, Gavaskar said the biggest positive for India was the return to form for Abhishek Sharma.

He added, “The biggest positive for me would be Abhishek Sharma getting back into form. Most importantly, what was impressive was the adjustment of the bat speed. If the ball was slower, he would adjust it when he brought it down. He wasn’t really looking to swing the ball blindly. He was adjusting his bat speed, which meant that he was getting into form. He’s not yet into his best form, but at least he’s getting there.”

India will take on the West Indies at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday in what will be a virtual quarterfinal clash.