The 25-year-old swashbuckling T20I opener Abhishek Sharma is in line to receive his most-awaited ODI call-up for the Australian tour. Reports suggest that selectors are highly impressed with his Asia Cup performance and are willing to try out the youngster for the high-stakes series.
Selectors Impressed by Asia Cup Performance
Abhishek Sharma has scored 179 runs in 4 matches with a strike rate of over 200 in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. With one fifty to his name, and while other teams are struggling to hit boundaries on these UAE pitches, the world No. 1 T20I batter is dealing mostly in sixes already smashing 12 maximums in just 4 matches.
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Reportedly, he has also impressed Gautam Gambhir with his part-time spin a skill that aligns with what Gambhir is looking for strengthening his case for ODI selection. Abhishek has shown that he can stay calm during chases and take smart risks, which makes him even more qualified for the job.
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Meanwhile, the current Indian squad already has several openers. ODI captain Rohit Sharma regularly opens alongside the well-established Shubman Gill. For backups, there’s Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made his ODI debut against England in 2025.
Jaiswal vs Abhishek: The Backup Battle
With Rohit Sharma’s participation confirmed for the Australian tour, Abhishek Sharma might replace Yashasvi Jaiswal as the backup opener. However, the Indian coach may opt to include both Abhishek and Jaiswal in the squad, with a long-term plan to gradually transition Abhishek into the opening role alongside Shubman Gill — especially since Rohit currently plays in only one format.
Selector Ajit Agarkar, who is reportedly unhappy with the lack of communication from Virat Kohli regarding his availability for the Australia tour, may also be thinking ahead to the 2027 World Cup. Given that, there is a strong possibility Abhishek Sharma will be groomed as a reserve opener for the near future and could eventually open alongside either Shubman Gill or Yashasvi Jaiswal.
