NEW DELHI: Former India opener Virender Sehwag heaped praise on Abhishek Sharma for his match-winning knock in India’s Super Four victory over Pakistan at the Asia Cup 2025. Chasing 172, the left-hander blazed his way to 74 off just 39 balls, setting the tone with his aggressive intent.Sehwag lauded Sharma’s attacking mindset from ball one, stressing the importance of being alert to early scoring opportunities.“I always say that you should be ready on the first ball because the bowler can bowl a warm-up delivery. The bowler tries to open up his body, and he can bowl a loose ball in such a scenario, and Abhishek Sharma is ready from the first ball, that he would hit if it’s in his area,” Sehwag told Sony Sports.He pointed out Sharma’s ability to exploit field placements and punish any lapse in line or length.“He saw a short ball and pulled it because the fine leg was up. Even if he had been behind, it would have been a six. If the bowler bowls full, he hits straight. He won’t spare you if you don’t bowl at the right spot,” Sehwag said.The former swashbuckling opener was especially struck by Sharma’s consistency in maintaining a strike rate near 200 across multiple matches.“The biggest thing is that his strike rate is close to 200. You can maintain a strike rate of 200 in one, two, or five matches, but he has played a lot of matches. It’s slightly difficult to maintain a strike rate of 200 in so many matches, but he is doing that extremely well. The bowlers are scared of him, as to where they should bowl to him. It’s fine if they get him out, but it’s a problem if they don’t,” he observed.With his fearless batting, Sharma has not only been instrumental in India’s wins but has also forced opposition bowlers to rethink their strategies, underlining his value in the shortest format.
