Abhishek Sharma likely to earn maiden ODI call-up for Australia Tour: Reports
A blazing run in IPL 2024, where Abhishek Sharma shattered several records with his redefined T20 hitting, earned the youngster a spot in the India T20I squad. With Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal picked out of the shorter format, Abhishek was slotted into the opening spot. While his T20I career started with a duck, the same series also marked Abhishek's maiden international ton. A year in the setup, and the 25-year-old has emerged as the highest run-scorer for India in the shorter format since the World Cup win. Now, as Abhishek continues to headline India's Asia Cup 2025 campaign, reports suggest another positive development for the opener ahead of the Australia tour.
Starring in the Asia Cup 2025, Abhishek Sharma likely to be named in the India ODI squad for Australia Tour
With a year-long successful run, Abhishek Sharma earned a spot in the India squad for Asia Cup 2025. While the re-entry of Shubman Gill in the fray cast a shadow on the place of Sanju Samson in the India Playing XI, the management never ruled out Abhishek from the equation. The decision has paid off, as India remains unbeaten in the Asia Cup 2025. With his latest knock of 75 off 37 in the India vs Bangladesh Super 4 clash, Abhishek has emerged as the highest run-scorer in the sub-continental tournament. In five innings, the opener has smashed 248 runs at an average of 49.60 and a strike rate of 206.66.
India is well set to play the Asia Cup 2025 final with its unbeaten run in the tournament so far. While Abhishek Sharma has already etched his name as the top performer in the marquee series, the youngster could be looking at bigger and better things in the near future. His exemplary run in the shorter format has reportedly brought Abhishek onto the selection panel's radar for the ODI series against Australia. As the focus shifts to the next phase of the India cricket schedule, Abhishek Sharma is likely to earn his maiden ODI call-up.
A recent report has highlighted that Abhishek has caught the attention of chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the rest of the selection committee with his performances in T20I cricket. Beyond his batting credentials, Abhishek's spin prowess also adds weightage to his case for selection. In 12 innings as a part-time off-spinner, including an over each in the Asia Cup group-stage clashes against Pakistan and Oman, Abhishek has claimed six wickets at an economy of 8.09.
However, with Abhishek Sharma now in contention, the bigger question is who might be sidelined to accommodate him in the lineup. India still has 27 matches to finalize their squad ahead of the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. If the team continues with the Gill-Abhishek pairing in ODIs, mirroring the T20I approach, it could cast uncertainty over the future of current ODI captain, Rohit Sharma.
Additionally, it may affect the chances of Yashasvi Jaiswal in the 50-over format. The left-hander, who missed out on the India T20I squad for the Asia Cup 2025 last month, made his ODI debut earlier this year against England in Nagpur. If the selectors choose to retain Rohit for the Australia tour, Abhishek may be included as a backup option, a move that could also hint at the management’s long-term strategy for the 2027 marquee event.
It has been reported earlier that the BCCI is not considering the senior duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as reliable prospects for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. According to numerous updates, the ODI series against Australia could very well be the swansong for the fan favorites. However, both players, who recently passed the BCCI's fitness test, have been spotted training hard for their return, hinting at their plans to push the apex board to keep them in the World Cup consideration.
