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Ponting Backs Abhishek Sharma as Top Scorer for T20 World Cup 2026

Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has made a bold prediction, naming India's star opener Abhishek Sharma as a potential leading run-scorer and Player of the Tournament for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. Ponting believes Sharma's current form and explosive batting, including a strike rate of nearly 195, outweigh any lack of major tournament experience. India enters the tournament as defending champions and in strong form, having recently won a T20I series against New Zealand 4-1. The Men in Blue are placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia.

Key Points: Ricky Ponting Predicts Abhishek Sharma as T20 WC 2026 Top Run-Getter

  • Ponting sees inexperience as a positive
  • Sharma is current World No. 1 T20I batter
  • India enters as defending champions
  • Squad led by Suryakumar Yadav
  • India in Group A with Pakistan
2 min read

Ricky Ponting predicts Abhishek Sharma as leading run-getter in T20 World Cup 2026

Australian legend Ricky Ponting predicts India's Abhishek Sharma could be the leading run-scorer and Player of the Tournament in the 2026 T20 World Cup.

"Abhishek Sharma is a star... He can be the leading run-scorer and potentially the Player of the Tournament. - Ricky Ponting"

New Delhi, January 31

Australian legend Ricky Ponting has predicted that Indian star opener Abhishek Sharma could become the leading run-getter in the T20 Men's World Cup 2026, starting February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

The ICC Hall of Famer Ponting believes Abhishek's lack of experience at ICC tournaments will not stop the in-form India batter in the upcoming marquee tournament.

"Abhishek Sharma is a star," Ponting said in the latest edition of The ICC Review.

"I think it's (lack of experience) a real positive to be honest. He can be the leading run-scorer and potentially the Player of the Tournament. That's how good I think he is. And if he does, that makes India even harder to beat. If he doesn't, then they're as vulnerable as anybody else. So that's how important I think he is to this (T20) World Cup for India," the Australian legend added.

The 25-year-old Abhishek, who is currently the World No. 1 T20I batter, has smashed 1297 runs in 38 matches and 37 innings. Sharma averages 37.05 with a strike rate of 194.74. The left-handed batter has hammered two centuries and eight half-centuries in the shortest format.

In the recently concluded five-match T20I series against New Zealand at home, Abhishek was the third-highest run-getter with 182 runs to his name. The Indian opener had an average of 45.50 and an astounding strike rate of 249.31. Sharma slammed two half-centuries in the series.

Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, India won the five-match T20I series 4-1 against New Zealand. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side hasn't lost a T20I series since winning the 2024 T20 World Cup and would go into the 2026 edition in fine form.

The defending champions, Team India, are slotted in Group A alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, the USA, and arch-rivals Pakistan. The Men in Blue will play their opening fixture against the USA on February 7, followed by their match against on February 12. India will face arch-rivals Pakistan on February 15, followed by their final group stage fixture against the Netherlands.

Team India squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026:

Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
High praise from a legend, but it also puts immense pressure on a young player. Hope the media and fans don't overhype this and let him play his natural game. The entire team looks strong.
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Vikram M
Yaar, the group looks good but that Pakistan match on Feb 15 is the one everyone is waiting for! If Abhishek fires in that game, he'll be a national hero overnight. 🤞
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Priya S
Respectfully, I think Ponting's comment about India being "vulnerable" if Abhishek fails is a bit unfair. We have Surya, Hardik, Rinku... it's a team sport after all. Let's back the whole squad!
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Rohit P
The stats don't lie - World No. 1 for a reason. Hosting the tournament in India and SL is a huge advantage. Hope the boys bring the cup home again! 🏆
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Michael C
As a neutral fan, it's exciting to see such talent. Ponting rarely gives such specific praise. The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be a fantastic tournament.

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