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Team India opener Abhishek Sharma’s father Rajkumar Sharma has expressed his views on the high-octane Asia Cup 2025 clash to be held between India and Pakistan in Dubai on September 14. In the continental tournament, the arch-rivals will look to be at their best against each other to embolden their confidence to reach the Super 4 round. India will play against Pakistan in T20Is for the first time after the retirement of their legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Abhishek Sharma has taken Rohit’s place as an opener in the shortest form of the sport and his responsibility will be to deliver fine starts to the side.
Ahead of the huge game, Rajkumar spoke to India Today and said India are in excellent form and they are favourites to win the Asia Cup. “India performed well in the first match of the Asia Cup. I want them to win the trophy. India is in good form, I think that they will win the Asia Cup,” said Abhishek Sharma. He has also kept his expectations high from Abhishek for the marquee contest. “India and Pakistan are one of the most anticipated matches in the world. I am glad that the BCCI gave Abhishek chances. I want him to perform his best. I want him to help India win the match against Pakistan and then win the Asia Cup,” added Rajkumar.
Abhishek Sharma’s T20I performance in 2025
In 2025, Abhishek Sharma has played six matches so far, in which he amassed 309 runs at a stellar strike rate of 216.08. Allying with Shubman Gill, his job will be to deliver a brisk start to the team against the Men in Green. In India’s first game against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the southpaw looked in brilliant touch and scored a swift 30 off 16.
Both Abhishek and Gill have never played any T20I match against Pakistan and they might get a stiff challenge from Shaheen Shah Afridi. In 2021, when Afridi played against India in the T20 World Cup in Dubai, he wreaked havoc on the Men in Blue and contributed 3/31 figures to his team’s 10-wicket win. His bowling brilliance made him the recipient of the Player of the Match (POTM) award.
