![Abhishek Sharma has been phenomenal in Asia Cup 2025 [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1758633551664_abhishek_all_formats.jpg?type=hq)
Abhishek Sharma has been phenomenal in Asia Cup 2025 [Source: AFP]
India has a rich history of producing generational greats when it comes to batting. From Gavaskar's picture-perfect technique to Sachin Tendulkar's flamboyance and Virat Kohli's consistency, the Indian side has been graced by legendary craftsmen since time immemorial. While Shubman Gill is touted to carry Kohli's legacy forward, the emergence of Abhishek Sharma is all set to add a glorious chapter to India's cricketing folklore.
Abhishek Sharma made his international debut in a T20I against Zimbabwe last year and has never looked back since then. The swashbuckling southpaw tasted success instantly, hammering a belligerent ton on his second outing right after registering a duck in his first game. The way he bounced back from the early setback was a statement, proving his knack for unleashing the beast mode while having his back against the wall.
Now, as Abhishek continues to grab the headlines, courtesy of his blitzkreig in the Asia Cup, the perennial question pops up yet again: should he be fast-tracked into the other two formats, keeping the 2027 World Cup and the ongoing World Test Championship in mind?
Abhishek in ODIs: A dream overruled by demand and supply rule
Abhishek Sharma has had a decent List-A career, amassing 2014 runs at an average of 35.33 and a strike rate of 99.21. Although his average hints at inconsistency, Abhishek's ability to torment the opposition and chip in with the ball could make him a valuable asset for India in the 50-over format.
However, although Abhishek's incredible attributes could tempt India to fast-track him into their ODI setup, the playing status of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma may not allow the BCCI decision-makers to do so anytime soon.
Regarded for their invaluable contributions to India's success over the years, Rohit and Kohli are still active as ODI cricketers. Given that Rohit, India's official ODI captain, opens alongside Shubman Gill, and Kohli is an established number three batter, it's highly unlikely that India will consider bringing Abhishek Sharma into the mix based on the latter's T20I exploits.
Jaiswal vs Abhishek: who should be fast tracked first into ODIs?
While the opening pair of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma seems to be in India's 2027 World Cup plans, Yashasvi Jaiswal is also in the reckoning for the third opener's slot in 50-over cricket. Although the explosive batter has featured in a solitary ODI, his excellent List-A numbers and tendency to play daddy knocks upon getting set make him more suitable for ODI cricket than his competitor, Abhishek Sharma.
Indeed, India's bold call to prefer Abhishek over Jaiswal for T20Is has paid rich dividends. However, a player of Jaiswal's calibre should ideally not warm the bench in ODIs to accommodate Abhishek in the lineup.
Again, it's a matter of perspectives, and Abhishek has all the ingredients to improve his 50-over numbers and prove his critics wrong. But it will actually be harsh if Jaiswal bears the brunt of non-selection despite scoring 1526 runs at an average of 52.62 and a healthy strike rate of 85.97. Interestingly, both batters have twelve fifty-plus scores, but here's the catch. Abhishek has taken 60 innings, while Jaiswal has achieved the feat in just 33 outings.
Abhishek in Tests: A desperate move that could unsettle the current setup
With due respect to his carnage in T20Is, Abhishek Sharma has yet to prove his mettle as a bright Test prospect. The left-handed batter hasn't had a great First-Class career, managing 1071 runs at an average of 30.60. While his scoring rate of 70.46 can make him India's own Bazballer, Abhishek's inconsistency could be the biggest roadblock in his path to becoming a regular member of the Indian Test side.
Barring his own performance, the heroics of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal in Australia and England don't really demand Abhishek's immediate Test inclusion as an opener unless the Indian management decides to surprise the opposition with an out-of-the-box selection.
Although there seems to be a vacancy at three, the likes of Devdutt Padikkal and B Sai Sudharsan are ahead of Abhishek in the pecking order. So, unless he works on his game against the moving ball and improves his red-ball numbers, Abhishek's Test call-up dream might not turn into a reality anytime soon.
Final word
Although Abhishek Sharma's Asia Cup heroics haven't gone unnoticed and sparked discussions of a potential call-up to all formats, the lack of vacancy and his middling record in List-A as well as First-Class cricket might not help his cause. That said, the southpaw has age on his side, and it will be a huge surprise if he gets reduced to a one-format wonder and gradually fades away from the scene.
