“Shouldn’t even be discussing it as a problem” – Dinesh Karthik’s huge statement on Abhishek Sharma after historic ton in NZ vs IND 2026 3rd T20I

Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has rejected the idea that Abhishek Sharma’s record against off-spin is a concern, given his overall potential and record. The southpaw smashed a quick-fire 35-ball century in the third T20I against New Zealand in Wellington, helping the Men in Blue claim the series with two matches remaining.

Abhishek smashed 113 from 38 balls at a strike rate of 297.37 as India chased 199 in 13.2 overs to beat New Zealand by six wickets with 40 balls to spare, marking a stunning run chase. Earlier in the contest, New Zealand had made 198 for 3 after being put in to bat first, with Daryl Mitchell unbeaten on 89.

Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who made 45 off 19, added 133 for the first wicket, and India reached 118 without loss in the powerplay, recording the highest total recorded in that phase of a men’s T20I. The former struck nine fours and 11 sixes, before perishing in the 10th over to Kyle Jamieson.

Dinesh Karthik noted that Abhishek Sharma’s incredible consistency makes his apparent weakness against off-spinners a non-factor.

“He’s not producing such knocks every 5 or 6 innings, he is doing it in every 2 or 3 innings now. If he is getting out to off-spinners, if he does after hitting 30 off 10 or 12, it is okay. If he is getting out in the first two balls, he doesn’t know which way it is turning, or his technique is a problem, then it is a point of discussion,” he said on Cricbuzz.

He highlighted Michael Bracewell’s first over in the third T20I as evidence, where Abhishek Sharma slammed three consecutive boundaries to begin the over.

“He got 15 runs in 4 balls against Michael Bracewell in his first over. For a guy who is supposedly weak against off-spin. You take that any day, and you shouldn’t even be discussing it as a problem. It is just a matter of fact that he gets out to off-spin sometimes. That’s about it; there is nothing to worry about. I feel like he is the best opener in the world right now. For some time, he has shown that,” Karthik added.

Abhishek Sharma was dismissed three times by off-spin during the 2026 T20 World Cup, scoring 29 off 27 balls against off-spin and losing his wicket to the likes of Aryan Dutt, Salman Ali Agha and Will Jacks. However, since then, he has an average of 29.70 and a strike rate of 205.40 against them in 19 innings.

“It is like Roger Federer at his peak or Mike Tyson at his peak” – Dinesh Karthik hails India’s modern-day T20 approach after NZ vs IND 2026 3rd T20I

Dinesh Karthik also highlighted how India are slowly beginning to take shape under Shreyas Iyer after a rough start in Ireland and England. He added that this style of T20I batting is as good as ever seen.

“They have had a couple of tough series in Ireland and England, but they slowly seem to start to gel together under the new captain. Their method of playing is very simple. Go hard, and you have to give Gautam Gambhir credit for that. Even in the World Cup, when they were almost pushed to the brink, they came out all guns blazing. In the last three games that India needed to win, they were 200-plus. It is like Roger Federer at his peak or Mike Tyson at his peak. People are scared to come and face an opponent like India,” Dinesh Karthik said.

After three successive wins, India have wrapped up the series 3-0 with two matches remaining. The penultimate T20I will be held at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, October 30.

Edited by Gokul Nair