Former Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu has backed Abhishek Sharma to be groomed as all-format opener. Sidhu believes another Virender Sehwag could be born if Abhishek keeps himself on the right track.

Sharma scored a match-winning knock of 74 runs off just 39 balls with the help of six fours and five sixes as he batted at the top of his game against Pakistan in the Super Four clash of the Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday. 

The left-hander added 105 runs with Shubman Gill for the opening alliance off just 59 balls. Thus, the opening duo gave a perfect start to the team in the run-chase of 172.

Navjot Singh Sidhu said in an Instagram Video, “I want to see this Punjabi pair in all formats. Abhishek Sharma should be groomed to play every format, because if you play him across formats another Virender Sehwag will be born. I’m dead sure of it. Everyone always knew Shubman Gill was born to win hearts. But Abhishek, when it comes to hitting sixes, I’ve never seen anyone better than him.”

Abhishek scored his runs at a blistering strike rate of 189.74 and took the Pakistan bowlers to the cleaners.

On the other hand, Sidhu also hailed captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir for introducing Shivam Dube in the middle overs. Dube returned with impressive figures of 2-33 against Pakistan on Sunday.

Sidhu concluded, “Bringing in Shivam Dube, full credit for that goes to our captain Suryakumar Yadav and also to Gautam Gambhir. This Suryakumar and Gambhir pairing is doing an amazing job.”

Earlier, Dube had returned with impressive figures of 3-4 in two overs he bowled against the UAE.

India will next take on Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Wednesday.