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Abhishek opened for India in the fifth T20I against England at Wankhede Stadium on February 2 and scored 135 runs from 54 balls with the help of 7 fours and 13 sixes.
Harbhajan Singh praises Abhishek Sharma. (Picture Credit: AP, Screengrab, AFP)
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh is very happy to see Abhishek Sharma’s progress as a cricketer and feels that the 24-year-old left-handed batter from Amritsar can become a player like Virender Sehwag in the future. Abhishek was on fire for India in the fifth T20I against England, which was played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, February 2. He opened the innings for Men in Blue and, with the help of 7 fours and 13 sixes, hammered 135 runs from just 54 balls. During his stay at the crease in the match, which India won by a record margin of 150 runs, Abhishek broke Shubman Gill’s record of highest individual score for India in T20Is and T20 World Cup winning captain Rohit Sharma’s record of most sixes in an innings of a T20I match for Men in Blue.
Harbhajan, who was Abhishek’s first captain in domestic cricket, was surprised by his batting in the fifth T20I and said he is very happy.
“Well done, Abhishek. It was fun. I remember that day when Abhishek came for the first time to play for Punjab. Abhishek and Shubman (Gill) made their debut under my captaincy (vs Vidarbha in Delhi on February 25, 2017). I’m so happy to see their progress. Abhishek itna todega ye manine mana nahi tha. Unbelievable,” Harbhajan said.
“Even today when I meet him, I talk about bowling first. Batting is his first love. He will definitely do it. He has hit 17 sixes. Kaise maar sakte ho, pure match mein nahi lagte hai. Abhishek Sharma, what are you eating?”
“Khiladi aisa chahiye hota hai Virender Sehwag ki tarah jo aaye tode aur match ko ektarfa kar de. Vo Abhishek Sharma ho sakte hai aapke future mein (You need a player like Virender Sehwag. Who comes, breaks, and makes the match one-sided. Abhishek Sharma can be that in the future),” he added.
In addition to his batting in the fifth T20I, Abhishek picked up two wickets in one over, and for his superb all-round show, he won the Player of the Match award as well.
