India vs Pakistan: Abhishek Sharma sets the record straight on spat with Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi

A retake of what is hyped as cricket’s fiercest rivalry brought the heat to Dubai. Unlike the group-stage India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025, the Men in Blue were not as dismissive of their opponents in the Super 4 clash. The refusal to engage in customary handshakes continued, but tempers flared during the India vs Pakistan Super 4 clash. Leading India’s charge against Pakistan’s provocation was the young opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill. Their blazing assault with the bat was enough to bring Pakistan to its knees, but the openers did not hold back verbally either.

"The way they came at us, I didn't like it at all": Abhishek Sharma opens up on his spat with Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi in the India vs Pakistan Super 4 clash

Providing a good start to the team consistently, Abhishek Sharma extended his stay at the crease this time. The youngster began the 172-run chase with a six, sending Shaheen Afridi packing. To rub salt in Afridi’s fresh wound, Sharma threw in a few choice words as well. The tone for a fiery battle was set right from the opening delivery as Abhishek and Gill took on the Pakistani attack.

Abhishek and Gill’s time at the crease was marked by multiple confrontations with their opponents. Tensions boiled over when Shubman gave Haris Rauf an extended stare-down after hitting him for a boundary. Rauf attempted to charge at the batsman, but Abhishek Sharma, standing at the other end, reached the bowler first. Heated words were exchanged back and forth before the umpire intervened to separate the players.

Meanwhile, unlike Pakistan, the Indian duo displayed a game that backed up their confidence on the pitch. Abhishek raced to his first fifty of the Asia Cup 2025 at a strike rate of over 200. Moreover, the 25-year-old became the first Indian batter since Virat Kohli to register a half-century against Pakistan in the shorter format. While the likes of Rauf and Afridi tried to challenge them verbally, they had no answer to the bat of Shubman and Abhishek, who put together a 100-plus opening partnership.

As the India vs Pakistan Super 4 clash wrapped up with another dominating victory for the Men in Blue, Abhishek Sharma was adjudged Player of the Match. While collecting his award for a scintillating 74 off 39 balls, the youngster opened up about the tussles witnessed on the field. Abhishek was quick to clarify that it was the Pakistan unit that tried to provoke them first. Not in the mood to entertain needless jibes, Abhishek and Gill chose to give it right back.

“I mean, today was pretty simple. I think the way they were coming to us without any reason, I didn't like at all. I thought that this was the only reason that I could give with my bat, and obviously with the win towards my team, and I think that's all that was going through my mind, and I just wanted to deliver for my team,” said Abhishek.

Abhishek’s knock featured six fours and five sixes at an impressive strike rate of 189.74. Gill contributed a lively 47 off 28 balls, including eight boundaries, complementing Abhishek’s assault and stitching a 105-run opening partnership. Gill, too, did not hold back against Shaheen and Haris, supporting his friend from the non-striker’s end. Abhishek admitted he thoroughly enjoyed Gill’s efforts to get under the skin of the Pakistani bowlers, adding another dimension to India’s commanding performance.

“I feel the way he was giving them back, I really enjoyed it on the other side,” said Abhishek.