NEW DELHI: When Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill open the innings together, they bring smiles to everyone’s faces and are learning how to handle different match situations in the shortest format, said captain Suryakumar Yadav after India sealed the five-match T20I series against Australia on Saturday.

India had raced to 52 without loss in 4.5 overs when play was stopped due to inclement weather. Gill (29 off 16 balls) and Abhishek (23 off 13 balls) were in fine touch, matching each other stroke for stroke before the game came to a halt.

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“When Abhishek and Shubman bat together at the top of the order they put a smile on the faces of fans,” Surya told reporters before explaining what makes the pair ‘Abhi-man’ tick.

“If the wicket is difficult, like the last game in (Gold Coast), they read the wicket well. They finished the Powerplays without taking risks and batted after that. People learn with experience. They communicate well and they are learning,” said the India skipper.

He believes that, contrary to popular perception, T20 cricket actually gives batters a little more time to play their shots than it is often credited for.

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“You have more time than you feel. There are 120 balls. If you take 4-5 balls extra, it doesn’t matter,” the skipper noted.

When it was pointed out that Gill and Abhishek are like “Fire and Ice”, the southpaw opener was quick to interject in jest.

“Sir hum fire ‘n’ ice nahi, hum fire and fire hain (We are fire, and fire not fire ‘n’ ice). There was no ice, it was only fire today,” Abhishek laughed referring to Gill’s short but attractive knock on the day.

“I know his game, which bowlers he will target and vice-versa with him. There are times, he will come and tell me, ‘wait for a few deliveries and then play this particular shot’. We have been roommates since childhood and that understanding is there,” he said.

Abhishek knows that, and now that his game is being decoded by all the top teams, he will have to also look at ways to improve, bring in new shots in his repertoire.

“The more I will play for India, the better I will get at reading pitches and plan my game accordingly.”

For skipper Surya, leading a talented bunch is a bliss.

“I am very lucky to have different boys with different skills and bring different things to the table. People enjoy when they are together on the ground, we are sticking to our template for the last 6-8 months. Friendships are being forged. The younger bowlers are picking Boom’s (Jasprit Bumrah) brain, learning from him.”

(With PTI Inputs)