Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has showered praise on Abhishek Sharma after India secured a six-wicket win against New Zealand in the third T20I at the Hnry Stadium, Wellington, on Tuesday. Kaif has urged the selectors and team management to pick the left-hander in the ODI team. Abhishek has scored 2196 runs in 69 List A matches at an average of 33.78.
Meanwhile, the left-hander completed his fifty off just 15 balls as he was able to hit the ground running in the Powerplay overs, in which India posted 118 runs.
The southpaw eventually went on to score a magnum opus knock of 113 runs off 38 balls, including nine fours and 11 sixes. This is Abhishek’s fourth T20I century as he once again proved his mettle.
The left-hander added 133 runs off just 43 balls with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who scored 45 runs off just 19 balls, for the opening alliance.
“He should be picked for ODIs as well. But till the two openers are there, there is no place now. He is doing the right things. I am surprised he is playing only one format. But he still plays impactful knocks, which is not easy. I think he is ready, and when the chance comes, he should be picked. The question is, where will he play? There are so many names too. Jaiswal is sitting out. But I feel he is not too far from his ODI debut,” Kaif said in a video on his YouTube channel.
The former UP batter said Abhishek has proven his mettle on tricky wickets and he is not only consistent on flat decks.
He concluded, “People should stop saying that he can play only on flat tracks. He has played in different conditions and delivered. He scored in the final of the Asian Games in Japan. Here in New Zealand also he has scored. He is showing that he can adapt and play impactful knocks. I feel we do not give enough credit to batters and just bring in conditions. New Zealand is not a weak team. The weather is also different there. So we should stop saying such things. He is moving towards greatness in T20.”
The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday.
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