India’s fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has revealed that in-form opener Abhishek Sharma doesn’t want to bat against the Indian bowlers in the nets. Singh admitted it is good for the bowlers as Sharma is hitting every ball with authority.

India won the opening T20I against New Zealand by 48 runs at Nagpur on Wednesday. Sharma continued his rich form, scoring a blistering knock of 84 runs off just 35 balls with the help of five fours and eight sixes to help India post 238 runs on the board.

The pugnacious southpaw batter completed his fifty off just 22 balls, which is the quickest half-century for an Indian batter in T20Is against New Zealand.

Arshdeep Singh said in the post-match press conference, “In the nets, he mostly says that he doesn’t want to bat against us. He doesn’t play against bowlers from his own team a lot. We are quite happy that we don’t have to bowl to him.”

Singh expressed his delight over Sharma’s form and is hopeful that the opener would continue his merry form in the T20 World Cup.

He added, “It’s good to see him bat [so well]. We have played a lot together and the way he is dominating at this level, feels really good. Hopefully, he keeps playing the same way.”

The fast bowler from Punjab also opened up on Indian spinners’ performances in the middle overs. While Varun Chakravarthy bagged 2-37 in his quota of four overs, Axar Patel also took a wicket before suffering a blow to his left hand.

He concluded, “They are doing well. Today as well, they took three wickets in the middle overs. There is nothing to be worried about. The wicket was very good for batting, so runs were bound to be scored. But, when there will be some help from the wicket, we will get to see different results in the middle overs. We have top-class spinners.”

The second T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Raipur on Friday.