In the fifth T20 International, Rising Indian opener Abhishek Sharma turned heads with his record-breaking and explosive innings against England, leading India to an unbelievable 150-run victory at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Harbhajan Singh, a former spinner for India, stated that he believes young Abhishek, who is currently just 24-year-old could be a regular in all formats, including Test cricket, after he hit seven fours and up to 13 sixes on his way to a 54-ball 135.
Harbhajan on Abhishek
According to Harbhajan, Abhishek, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal might be India's top three in every format in the future.
"I am really looking forward to that period when they will be India's top 3. What a batting lineup that will be and those days are not too far away. Maybe in about six months we will see these three playing permanently for India in white-ball cricket. And maybe we will also see him starring in the Test team as well. He can play, banda todta hai usme bhi (he smashes in that format as well). He is captain of Punjab (in the Ranji Trophy)," said Harbhajan speaking on his YouTube channel.
In 24 first-class games so far, Abhishek has amassed 1071 runs at an average of 30.60, including five half-centuries and one century. According to Harbhajan, an aggressive player like him may succeed in Test cricket like Travis Head or previous greats like Viv Richards or Virender Sehwag.
"On his day, he just takes the game away. Travis Head does it, Virender Sehwag used to do it, Viv Richards used to do it. These kind of players are the ones who take the game forward. Today or tomorrow, his chance will come in Test cricket. You always need a player of the Sehwag mould in Test cricket who comes, smashes, and takes the game away. That can be Abhishek Sharma," Harbhajan added.
Before the series began, Abhishek's position in the team was being questioned. Prior to the first T20 International against England at the Eden Gardens, Abhishek had only managed one half-century in nine innings, despite having made a century against Zimbabwe in just his second T20I. He smashed 79 runs in 34 balls in Kolkata to start this series, which helped India win by a commanding seven wickets. After that, He could only record scores of 12, 24 and 29 before the astonishing ton in the final match of the series