Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly has urged Indian selectors to back Abhishek Sharma in ODIs, stating that the left-hander is an absolute match-winner. The left-hander is yet to make his ODI and Test debut thus far.
Sharma was able to bounce back to form as he scored a crucial knock of 55 runs off 30 balls in the Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Thursday.
The southpaw was dismissed for three consecutive ducks in the group stage and could only manage 15 runs off 12 balls against South Africa in the Super 8 game. However, he was in terrific form ahead of the T20I showpiece.
Meanwhile, Abhishek has scored 2196 runs in 69 List A games at an average of 33.78 and a strike rate of 100.18 for Punjab.
“He is a very good player. I like what I see of him. I am sure he will get tracked into the 50-over format. He is an absolute match-winner,” Sourav Ganguly said in an interview on ‘Free Hit by LegaXy’.
Ganguly, however, squashed comparisons between Virender Sehwag and Abhishek Sharma. The former left-hander said Sharma can also play Test cricket for India. Sharma has scored 1071 runs in 24 first-class matches at an average of 30.60 and a strike rate of 70.46.
He added, “Don’t compare him with Sehwag. Sehwag is an absolute champion. But yes, Abhishek can play.”
Meanwhile, Abhishek is going to hold the key for India in the virtual quarterfinal clash against the West Indies on Sunday. Sharma would want to provide a solid start to the team and deliver the goods.
