Ex-Australia star calls Abhishek Sharma 'rascal who walks into the fire', explains why India need players like him

Abhishek Sharma had a quiet T20 World Cup but he rose to the occasion when India needed him the most. In the all important final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, Abhishek's bat breathed fire as he racked up 52 off 21 balls to provide the Men In Blue with an excellent start. Together with Sanju Samson, the duo piled 98 runs in 7.1 overs and others who followed continued the fireworks.

Abhishek's efforts saw him garner praise from most corners and ex-Australian star Brad Haddin too has joined the chorus. "I'm a huge fan of Abhishek, and there was a lot of talk about his position throughout the tournament. Got a few ducks in a row in the pool games, and all of a sudden, you think he is under pressure, but they are the guys you want in the big moments, because they are rascals and they walk into the fire. That is what Abhishek does, he puts pressure on the opposition, and the way that he went out in that final set up the game," the former wicketkeeper said on the Willow Talk Cricket Podcast.

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The knock by Abhishek came at a time when the opener was in dearth of runs, and amidst intense calls to drop him from the XI. He had registered three consecutive ducks at the start of the tournament and barring the 55 off 30 against Zimbabwe, his bat had remained silent in the lead up to the final.

Meanwhile, weighing-in on New Zealand's campaign, Haddin added: "New Zealand have done a good job again to get to a final. I thought New Zealand were really red hot for the final. The way Finn Allen and Tim Seifert were batting. I thought they were in one of those tournament modes where everything is going their way. But the last hurdle [they failed to cross]. The classier team won, didn't it?"

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