India’s legendary off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has criticised former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir for labelling hard-hitting opener Abhishek Sharma a ‘slogger’. Harbhajan is in awe of Abhishek's-six-hitting abilities and feels that the southpaw is a complete batter, not a slogger. He pointed out that Abhishek can hit the ball in several parts of the ground.
"I mean, come on — what am I even supposed to say to that? He just gets up and says anything. If you call him a slogger, then fine, let him smash sixes — but he’s a proper batter who has every shot in the book. He’s a complete batter who knows exactly where the ball is coming and plays accordingly. He plays the over-cover shot, hits through point. He can go long-on, long-off, midwicket — he has every shot. After that, you can’t label him just a slogger," said Harbhajan in an exclusive conversation with Sports Tak.
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Harbhajan said that he doesn't want to create any drama by naming sloggers in the Pakistan team. He reiterated that Abhishek is a top-class batter and reminded the arch-rivals of what he did against them in the T20 Asia Cup 2025 which has haunted them for months.
"If I start naming real sloggers, some people might get offended, but I don’t want to create more drama. Still, calling anyone just a slogger like that — I don’t think it’s fair. Abhishek is a top-class batter who has proven his worth in world cricket,’ Harbhajan said.
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"And just wait and watch tomorrow. If Abhishek stays at the crease, he’ll remind everyone who he is. For the last 4–5 months, he’s already been in your dreams. If he goes big tomorrow, then for the next six months, he’ll be in your dreams again. That’s it," he added.
Fit-again Abhishek set to take guard vs Pakistan
Meanwhile, India captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that Abhishek is fit and will play in the clash against Pakistan. Abhishek had played the first game with a stomach ache and bagged a golden duck against USA on his T20 World Cup debut. He did not come to field and Sanju Samson replaced him as substitute fielder. The opener was hospitalised and lost weight. He missed the game against Namibia in Delhi.
So far, the 25-year-old has scored 110 runs from three T20I innings against Pakistan, striking at a strike rate of 189.55. He scored a half-century against them in T20 Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours clash.