Home WC every kid's dream: Abhishek Sharma

From his India U-19 days to the T20I team, left-handed batter Abhishek Sharma has made an impact in the shortest format. The opener from Amritsar has risen playing for Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

In his 17 T20Is, he has hit two centuries and fifties each and will be a contender for a place in the Indian side when they host the World Cup next year. In a chat, he talks about the year gone by.

How have things change for you in the last one year, making the T20I debut and hitting 135 in your second game?

A lot has happened very quickly. Making my India debut was emotional, but to follow it up with performances like the hundred (v Zimbabwe) and that England knock (135 in his last T20I in February), it is special. It has given me the belief that I belong at this level… It is motivating but also makes me want to work even harder.

How has life and practice been after IPL?

After IPL, the focus has been on recovery and sharpening small aspects of my game, especially my fitness and bowling. There is no off-season really at this level.

You and Travis Head as SRH openers since last year seem to have shown that batting in IPL should be all out attack.

We had a clear mindset; to attack from ball one, and SRH gave us that freedom. It was so enjoyable because we were backing each other. The way we played showed teams that fearless intent at the top can change games.