T20 World Cup 2024: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal in a 3-way race for Indian openers post WC reveals Mike Hesson

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) coach Mike Hesson made an interesting remark on young opening batter Abhishek Sharma's future with the Indian national cricket team. Mike Hesson predicted that Abhishek Sharma will become an opener for Team India following the T20 World Cup 2024.

Abhishek Sharma showcased his batting prowess during the match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Sharma scored an unbeaten 75 runs off 28 balls, including eight fours and six sixes. Along with Travis Head, he helped SRH chase the target of 166 in just 9.4 overs.

Travis Head scored an unbeaten 89 runs off just 30 deliveries, including eight fours and eight sixes. Interestingly, SRH didn't even need their middle-order batsmen like Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy to bat. Abhishek and Head dominated the LSG bowlers with their powerful hitting abilities.

Abhishek Sharma has amassed 401 runs in 12 matches with an average of 36.45 and an outstanding strike rate of 205.64, including two fifties. Notably, his strike rate is better than players like Virat Kohli, Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rohit Sharma.

He's Improved Greatly Against Pace - Mike Hesson

Speaking on JioCinema, Mike Hesson praised Abhishek's aggressive batting style and highlighted his ability to take on spin in the powerplay. Hesson stated that Abhishek could secure a spot in the India squad after the T20 World Cup. He described Abhishek as a high-quality player and boundary hitter.

"Oh, look, I think so. I mean, I think his ability to take on spin in the power play. And he's improved greatly against pace. He is a high-quality player. He's a boundary hitter. He is a six-hitter and no doubt post-World Cup, and he will start to make some changes, whether it be Jaiswal, himself, or Shubman Gill. To be fair, there's a few. There's plenty of names, but he will definitely be one that will have plenty of people talking about," Hesson told JioCinema.

Following the T20 World Cup, Team India is scheduled to tour Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series. If Abhishek Sharma secures a spot in the Indian squad, he could replace Rohit Sharma at the top. The selectors could pick the young team for the upcoming tour to the African nation in July.

Abhishek Sharma Is An Incredible Player Of Spin And Pace - Pat Cummins

SRH skipper Pat Cummins praised opener Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. Cummins described him as an incredible player against both spin and pace. He stated that it would be difficult for bowlers to face batters like Travis and Abhishek.

"(On did he change the pitch) Maybe Travis and Abhishek did. We just let them go, they are two guys who are very positive and I'm a bowler, it is tough for me to give them any inputs. (On Travis Head) He's been like this for 2 years, he hits the tough areas, hits the middle a lot, might not be super conventional. (On Abhishek Sharma) Just an incredible player of spin and pace. With just 2 fielders out, it is really difficult for the bowlers against them," Pat Cummins said.

Read More:

• IPL 2024 Points Table