'I haven't seen something like this in T20s' - Abhishek on Hazlewood

Abhishek Sharma admitted that while India were prepared for Australia's discipline, it was the extra bounce and pace at the MCG that caught their batters off guard in the second T20I. India were bowled out for 125 and eventually went down by four wickets, with Australia chasing the target in just 13.2 overs to take a 1-0 lead.

Asked to bat first, India lost four wickets inside the powerplay - only the 10th time it has happened for them in T20Is - as Josh Hazlewood produced a fiery spell of 3 for 12, bowling Test-match lengths on a surface offering steep lift. Abhishek, however, stood out with a counterattacking 68 off 37, trying to keep India afloat while wickets kept tumbling at the other end.

Speaking about his batting approach and the challenge of holding the innings together, Abhishek said: "First of all, obviously, I play according to the team plan. Our team plan is to dominate the top order. But today, I think it was a little unexpected for us. They caught the spot as bowlers, their line and lengths were perfect. And when cricketers are falling in front of you, no matter who you are, you have to play a little for the team."

Abhishek revealed that the pitch wasn't as easy to score on as it might have looked early on, forcing him to recalibrate his approach. "So, (I played) according to the situation, obviously, it is not that I was not aware of the situation. I felt that the more the score would be (it would be better for the team), because the wicket was looking very difficult while playing. It was not easy to hit shots. But this was my mindset," he explained.

Having seen Hazlewood in the preceding ODIs, Abhishek admitted even that experience hadn't quite prepared him for what was to come, as he credited the experienced pacer for setting up the game in Australia's favour. "I was watching him in the ODIs as well, so we knew he'd give us challenges," he said. "But the way he bowled today even surprised me. I haven't seen something like this in T20s. It was something new for me as a batter who wants to dominate. But he had a plan, and he just executed it perfectly."

India were reeling at 49 for 5 when Harshit Rana received a surprise promotion, and in him, Abhishek finally found some support. The pair added a steadying half-century stand that helped India cross the 100-run mark, but a flurry of wickets soon after meant the innings folded with eight balls still left unused.

Speaking about Rana's promotion and their partnership, Abhishek said: "I knew that Harshit would bat (at No.7). He has hit sixes off me a lot of nets. This was the plan - he came and told me that let's play a little normally. So, I think, as a batter, he was quite aware of the situation and how we would take it a little deep. I also felt with Harshit playing, the combination of right and left would be good. Because of that, he came above Shivam Dube. And, he did very well."

For a relatively young Indian batting group, Abhishek said the steep bounce and pace presented a learning curve. "There are many players who are on their first tour, including me as well," he said. "We knew they would take advantage of the extra bounce and pace, and that they'd bowl on a hard length. Everyone prepared well. But as a batting unit, I felt a little surprised by the amount of bounce and pace. And the disciplined bowling. Credit goes to them."