'They don't listen...': Irfan Pathan passes point-blank verdict on Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma ahead of India's Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan lavished praise on the opening duo of Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma for their fearless show in the Asia Cup 2025. Having shared the field since their early days in Punjab, the old teammates and friends are now playing with each other on the grand stage. Abhishek is in the form of his life, and the duo is doing wonders for India in the UAE, with back-to-back 70-run plus stands in the last two matches against Pakistan and Bangladesh, respectively.

Gill was included in India's T20I squad for the Asia Cup after missing out on a few series due to busy scheduling for Tests and ODIs. The Gujarat Titans (GT) batter was appointed as the vice-captain for the Asia Cup. Irfan, who was a part of India's inagural T20 World Cup winning squad, lauded the camaraderie between Abhishek and Shubman.

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"Abhishek and Shubman, their combination that has gotten set is praiseworthy because you need a batter who complements you at the other end. You repeatedly hear them when they speak, stitch a partnership, and explain things to each other, asking for a single to be taken after a four is hit," Pathan said on SonySports.

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However, Pathan pointed out a moment during India's last clash against Bangladesh during the fourth over when vice captain Shubman suggested Abhishek after the fifth ball that 15 runs had already come off it, probably indicating to him to play a risk-free shot on the last ball. However, Abhishek was tempted and smashed Nasum Ahmed for a six.

"It's a different thing that they don't listen because it happened yesterday (Wednesday) as well. Shubman told Abhishek that 15 runs had come in the over and asked him to play the last ball carefully. He said yes, but hit the last ball for a six. So they try to explain things to each other, but this combination is amazing," he added.

Abhishek and Shubman will now be seen in action during India's third Super Four clash of the Asia Cup 2025 against Sri Lanka, which will be a dead rubber as the defending champions have already sealed their berth for the final where they will face Pakistan on September 28 at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.