'Abhishek Sharma is India's old Boss Baby' - Ajay Jadeja after India opener's explosive fifty vs England

Former India captain Ajay Jadeja has heaped praise on Abhishek Sharma after the opener's blistering 59 off 24 balls in the rain-hit first T20I against England at Chester-le-Street in Durham on Wednesday, July 1. Jadeja described the left-hander as India's old Boss Baby, a label recently attached to teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

India, who arrived in England after a 2-0 T20I series defeat in Ireland, slipped to 6/2 after opting to bat before Abhishek and captain Shreyas Iyer added 82 for the third wicket. The 25-year-old brought up his fifty off just 20 balls and, along the way, became the fastest batter from a full member nation to reach 100 T20I sixes, getting there in 785 deliveries to go past Evin Lewis. India posted 189/7, but persistent rain washed out England's chase.

“We were talking about the Boss Baby. He is our old Boss Baby. Since the time he came, he has maintained the same approach. The good thing is that the approach hasn't changed at all. In his batting, it doesn't even seem like he is applying force to hit fours and sixes. The flow is so good,” Jadeja said on Sony Sports.

Jadeja pointed out that the southpaw's range separates him from most attacking batters, who tend to favour one side of the ground.

“Attacking players generally play in one direction. Someone plays very well on the off side, and someone plays very well on the on side. His striking ability is from deep point to fine leg. So it becomes so difficult for the bowlers, and his success is probably because of that,” Jadeja added.

The former India batter also highlighted the consistency behind the record, noting that the Amritsar-born batter rarely looks like he is struggling for runs.

“Anyone can get out for zero, but when he scores runs, he never struggles or is unable to play shots. There might have been an odd day. Whenever he plays, he plays with a flow. He has hit 100 sixes in 40-odd matches, and he has seven ducks in that,” the erstwhile cricketer further noted.

The series opener ended without a result, and the two sides will now meet in the second T20I of the five-match series at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday, July 4.