Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar ranked Abhishek Sharma as the greatest Indian opener in the Indian Premier League [1].
This assessment challenges the established hierarchy of Indian cricket by placing a rising star above legendary figures like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Such a ranking shifts the conversation regarding the evolution of aggressive opening roles in the T20 format.
Bangar said his views during the 2026 IPL season [2]. In his ranking, Sharma took the top spot, surpassing the career achievements and consistency of Kohli and Rohit [1]. The former coach used the exercise to highlight the specific impact of Sharma's approach at the top of the order.
Beyond the rankings, Bangar praised the performance of Ishan Kishan. He said Kishan's aggressive innings was a class performance during a match against Rajasthan Royals [2].
That specific effort contributed to a strong team performance for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The team posted a total of 216/6 in 20 overs [2]. Bangar said the aggression shown by these batsmen is redefining how teams approach the powerplay in the league.
Bangar's comments come at a time when the IPL is seeing a transition in batting styles. While Kohli and Rohit have long been the benchmarks for success, the emergence of players like Sharma indicates a move toward higher strike rates from the first ball. This shift is reflected in the high totals currently being posted by teams in the 2026 season [2].
“Sanjay Bangar ranked Abhishek Sharma as the greatest Indian IPL opener, ahead of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.”
Bangar's rankings signal a valuation shift in T20 cricket, where immediate aggression and high strike rates are beginning to outweigh traditional cumulative statistics. By placing Abhishek Sharma above established icons, the former coach is highlighting a modern blueprint for opening batsmen that prioritizes maximum impact over long-term stability.
