Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has heaped praise on young opener Abhishek Sharma, stating that the left-hander has seamlessly stepped into the role of dominating the powerplay overs following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from T20Is. According to Kaif, Abhishek’s rapid rise in international cricket has not only filled the void at the top of the order but also established him as a genuine match-winner capable of taking games away from the opposition single-handedly.

Rohit’s departure left a glaring question in India’s T20I setup—who would provide the fearless starts that once defined his batting? Abhishek’s performances in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 have offered a convincing answer. With his bold strokeplay and ability to unsettle bowlers from the very first over, he has brought back the kind of attacking intent that India was searching for.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Mohammad Kaif even suggested that Abhishek has the range and confidence to replicate Yuvraj Singh’s iconic six sixes in an over, such is the extent of his batting prowess.

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“When Abhishek Sharma delivers, he doesn’t just bat—he makes a statement. On his day, he can demolish any bowler in the powerplay. Mark my words, one day Abhishek will hit six sixes in six balls. His range of shots, mental strength, and ability to adapt against pace and spin are remarkable,” Mohammad Kaif said.

Abhishek’s red-hot form has been the biggest positive for India in this tournament. Under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy, India have marched into the Asia Cup final, thanks largely to his explosive knocks at the top.

The 25-year-old southpaw is currently the leading run-scorer of the Asia Cup, with 173 runs from four innings at a staggering strike rate of 208.43. His consistency has also kept him firmly at the top of the ICC T20I batting rankings, cementing his place as India’s premier T20 opener.

His standout innings include a breathtaking 75 off 37 balls against Bangladesh, where he reached fifty in just 25 deliveries, and a crucial 74-run match-winning knock against Pakistan in the Super 4 opener. With two back-to-back scores above 70, Abhishek has emerged as India’s most reliable batter in pressure situations.

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Now, as India gears up for a blockbuster final against Pakistan on September 28 in Dubai, all eyes will once again be on Abhishek Sharma. Having already tormented Pakistan’s bowlers twice in this competition, fans are eagerly awaiting another fearless display from the youngster, who looks destined to carry forward India’s legacy of dominance in T20 cricket.