Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu lavished praise on young openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma for their hard-hitting knock against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. Gill-Abhishek smashed Pakistan bowlers all over the ground and stitched a 105-run partnership in only 9.5 overs for the opening wicket.
Sidhu reckons that Abhishek has the temperament to open for India across formats and has backed his inclusion in the India squad for all formats of the game. Abhishek, yet to feature in ODIs and Tests, his childhood friend Gill has established himself as a commanding batter in ODIs and recently took over as the Test captain.
Sidhu believes that Abhishek’s fearlessness could reincarnate the effect that former India opener Virender Sehwag had on opposition attacks during his time.
“I want to see this Punjabi pair in all formats. Abhishek Sharma should be groomed to play every format, because if you play him across formats another Virender Sehwag will be born. I’m dead sure of it. Everyone always knew Shubman Gill was born to win hearts. But Abhishek, when it comes to hitting sixes, I’ve never seen anyone better than him,” Sidhu said in a video on Instagram.
Abhishek has represented India in 23 T20Is, where he smashed 50 sixes, making him the fastest-ever Indian to reach the landmark. The 25-year-old entered the Asia Cup 2025 as World No. 1 batter after his dominating performance against England earlier this year.
India's performance in Asia Cup 2025
Defending champions India are unbeaten in the Asia Cup 2025; the Men in Blue defeated UAE, Pakistan and Oman in their Group Stage matches. The Men in Blue defeated Pakistan by six wickets in their recent outing in the Super Four clash of the mega event. India will now face Bangladesh in their second Group Stage clash at the Dubai Stadium.
Abhishek Sharma's performance in Asia Cup 2025
Abhishek Sharma is currently the highest run-getter in the Asia Cup 2025. The southpaw scored 173 runs in four outings with a highest score of 73, including 17 fours and 12 sixes.