New Zealand pacer Matt Henry has expressed optimism about the rise of Indian batter Abhishek Sharma, stating it bodes well for Indian cricket. However, he acknowledged that this fearless approach to batting is now the prevailing trend in T20 internationals worldwide.
Speaking about Sharma’s aggressive style, Henry noted, “Considering the way he goes after the ball from ball one, it seems to be a common trend with batters nowadays. They come in really hard, which you’ve seen in their IPL performances over the last few years — the high scores and the fearless approach to the game.”
Henry also highlighted how this modern batting style keeps bowlers on their toes globally. “It’s going across the board, and it’s keeping us bowlers alert. But the great thing is it provides opportunities for bowlers to take wickets and bowl teams out, which is incredibly important in stopping those kinds of players.”
Looking ahead, Henry expressed excitement about New Zealand’s upcoming white-ball tour of India in 2025, prior to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. “The timing of that series is really important. We have the World Cup coming up, so playing in Indian conditions beforehand makes sense. It’s a crucial part of our World Cup journey, especially with India and Sri Lanka hosting the event.”
Reflecting on New Zealand’s remarkable 3-0 Test series victory in India earlier this year, Henry emphasized the magnitude of the achievement. “I wouldn’t say it was a surprise because we knew how challenging it is to win a match here, let alone a series. Coming into India with experience from our Sri Lanka tour gave us confidence in how we wanted to play, especially adapting to spin-friendly conditions and applying pressure on bowling attacks.”
Henry played a starring role in that series, particularly in the first Test where he took eight wickets, including a five-wicket haul in India’s first innings. He fondly recalled the conditions in Bengaluru: “The pitch there was different from traditional Indian surfaces. We made a surface that suited us, which made it tough for India and kept captains guessing. It was a tough contest, but the runs flowed later on, which is the beauty of Test cricket — it’s about those little moments and building pressure.”
Praising Indian cricket’s depth ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, Henry said, “The depth India has in T20 cricket is incredible. You see it in the IPL with players coming through and performing exceptionally. Their bowling and batting departments are both strong, so they’ll definitely be one of the teams to beat in the format.”
He also spoke candidly about the challenges of scheduling international cricket. “We’re often limited to two or three match series due to scheduling constraints, which is a big challenge for us. A longer series would be amazing for building momentum.”
Looking forward to New Zealand’s next assignment, Henry shared his anticipation for the three-match series against the West Indies. “That series is going to be really important as part of our build-up. The West Indies have a strong, talented squad, and while they have tough challenges ahead in India, we’ll be ready to compete hard on home soil.”
On the topic of fast bowling in today’s demanding cricket calendar, Henry highlighted the physical and mental resilience required. “With the volume of cricket played these days, fast bowlers are constantly tested. Managing workloads, strength and conditioning, and action are all pieces of the puzzle to staying fit and effective. The best bowlers have always been those who can stay on the park and handle these challenges.”
Matt Henry’s insights provide a clear view of the evolving nature of cricket, the challenges ahead, and the exciting contests to come as New Zealand continues to build momentum on the global stage.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/i-have-seen-him-batting-matt-henry-reflects-on-abhishek-sharmas-aggressive-t20-approach
