Brad Haddin Calls Abhishek Sharma a ‘Rascal Who Walks Into The Fire’ — And Means It As The Highest Praise

Two-time World Cup winner Brad Haddin has come out as one of Abhishek Sharma’s most vocal admirers and his choice of words says everything about what separates good players from great ones in big-match situations.

The Australian wicketkeeper, who was part of the 2007 and 2015 World Cup-winning sides, was left genuinely impressed by the Indian opener’s showing in the recently concluded T20 World Cup not despite the turbulence he faced, but because of how he responded to it.

Abhishek had entered the tournament with considerable hype, tipped by many to finish as its leading run-scorer. What followed was the opposite of a dream start. He was dismissed for ducks in three consecutive matches, one of them coming against arch-rivals Pakistan. He also sat out a group-stage game against Namibia due to a stomach bug, leaving his place in the side under serious scrutiny.

But when India needed him most, Abhishek delivered. Against Zimbabwe a must-win after India’s shock Super 8 defeat to South Africa he smashed a rapid fifty that helped the side post 256 and cruise to a comfortable victory. Then came the final itself. Facing New Zealand with the title on the line, he blazed his way to a fifty off just 18 balls, powering India to yet another 250-plus total. They defended it successfully to retain the T20 World Cup crown.

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Speaking on the Willow Talk Cricket Podcast, Haddin did not hold back his appreciation.

“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,” Haddin said.

New Zealand’s Final Heartbreak Leaves Haddin Surprised

While he was full of praise for India, Haddin admitted he had gone into the final expecting New Zealand to go all the way this time. The Kiwis have become something of a perennial finalist in white-ball cricket particularly since 2015 yet a World Cup title in either the 50-over or 20-over format continues to elude them. Their solitary major white-ball honour remains the 2000 ICC Knockout triumph in Nairobi, a tournament now restructured and rebranded as the Champions Trophy.

“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?” Haddin said.