TimesofIndia.com in Dubai:Abhishek Sharma is making a lot of noise with the bat and the youngster could well earn a ODI call-up, as early as the tour of Australia next month. India are set to play three ODIs, followed by five T20Is in Australia. The ODI series will start on October 19.TimesofIndia.com understands that the destructive southpaw has impressed the men who matter with his exploits in the shortest format and the management could well reward him with an ODI call.
The 25-year-old is the top run-scorer in the ongoing Asia Cup. He has scored 173 runs in four outings, but the most impressive part is his blazing 208.43 strike rate on the sluggish Dubai pitch.Abhishek has also been seen bowling for hours in the nets, which makes him a perfect fit for Gautam Gambhir’s set-up. His List A record is equally impressive. In 61 matches, he has amassed 2014 runs at an average of 35.33 and a strike rate of 99.21. He has also picked up 38 wickets with his left-arm spin.It is understood that the match against Pakistan, where Abhishek and his childhood friend Shubman Gill put on a show by adding 105 runs for the opening wicket in just 9.5 overs, assured the decision makers of his ability to excel in intense pressure situations. He was unfazed by the opposition and situation, and took every challenge head on.Who makes way for Abhishek Sharma?
India’s Abhishek Sharma plays a shot during the match against Pakistan in the Super Fours of Asia Cup 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. (ANI Photo)
The big question, however, is that if Abhishek gets a look in, who makes way? Before the next ODI World Cup, to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in October-November 2027, India are set to play 27 ODIs.With Shubman Gill all set to be the first-choice opener for the multi-nation event, will he open with Abhishek Sharma? If this happens, will it mark the end of the road for captain Rohit Sharma in ODIs?The other question is what will happen to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made his ODI debut earlier this year against England in Nagpur.With Abhishek set to be in the squad, how many openers will the selectors pick for the three-match series?A lot of questions need to be answered and if Rohit is persisted for the tour of Australia, Abhishek could well be added as the reserve opener to also signal the management’s direction for the marquee event in 2027. Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar is in Dubai and while he will be announcing the squad for West Indies Tests today, discussions around the ODI set-up and direction for future are already underway with all the stakeholders.
