Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has showered praise on Abhishek Sharma ahead of the T20I series against Australia. Shastri expects fireworks from the Indian opener if he stays a bit longer at the crease in the five-match series.

Sharma has been in splendid form in T20Is and he is currently the number one T20I batter in the shortest format. The left-hander scored 314 runs in the Asia Cup at a blistering strike rate of 200 and was awarded Player of the Tournament. The southpaw will play in Australia for the first time and he will look to provide a solid start to the team along with vice-captain Shubman Gill.

Ravi Shastri said on Fox Cricket, “He’s a gun T20 player. If he’s in for a while, there’s guaranteed entertainment. Irrespective of whether you’re Australian or Indian, you’ll enjoy it. He has the ability to take the game away from you. You don’t want him out there too long because he can create chaos.”

Shastri added that Abhishek will definitely look to take the attack to the opposition from the word go.

“His preparation, his belief in his own ability, the range of shots that he has, and then the mindset to go out there and back himself from ball one. From the get-go, he’ll go after the bowling. That’s where he can be extremely dangerous, very explosive, and quietly confident about his own ability,” said Shastri (via the aforementioned source).

Abhishek has scored 849 runs in 24 T20I matches at an average of 36.91 and a whirlwind strike rate of 196.08.

The first T20I between India and Australia will be played at Canberra on Wednesday.