Abhishek Sharma is on the brink of breaking into India’s ODI setup, with the upcoming tour of Australia presenting a golden opportunity for the in-form southpaw. India are scheduled to play three ODIs and five T20Is Down Under, with the 50-over series kicking off on October 19 and the explosive youngster might just find his name in that squad.
According to a TOI report, at 25, Abhishek has made a compelling case with the bat in the ongoing Asia Cup, where he currently sits atop the run-scoring charts. His 173 runs from four games have come at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 208.43, a statistic made even more remarkable by the sluggish nature of the pitches in Dubai. His fearless batting and ability to dominate bowlers from ball one have caught the attention of key decision-makers in Indian cricket, who are reportedly keen to reward his consistency and intent with an ODI debut.
🚨 ABHISHEK TIME IN ODI CRICKET. 🚨
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 24, 2025
– Abhishek Sharma likely to be included in the ODI series Vs Australia. (TOI). pic.twitter.com/VQ4tB7bHp5
But it’s not just his batting that has turned heads. Abhishek has been diligently bowling long spells in the nets, showcasing his left-arm spin and further cementing his reputation as a potential all-round asset. His List A credentials back that up – 2014 runs in 61 matches at an average of 35.33 and a healthy strike rate of 99.21, along with 38 wickets. He ticks all the boxes for the kind of multi-dimensional cricketer Gautam Gambhir’s evolving ODI setup is likely to favour.
His standout moment came in the high-pressure clash against Pakistan, where he and childhood friend Shubman Gill stitched together a blistering 105-run opening stand in just 9.5 overs. It wasn’t just about the runs – it was about how he made them. Abhishek looked unflustered by the magnitude of the occasion, taking on world-class bowlers with clinical aggression and confidence. That innings may have been the final piece of evidence selectors needed to feel assured about his temperament and readiness for the next level.
Who Makes Way for Abhishek?
However, Abhishek’s rise poses a new challenge for the selectors, who steps aside if he comes in?
Shubman Gill has established himself as India’s premier ODI opener and is expected to carry that mantle into the 2027 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. If the selectors envision Gill and Abhishek as India’s long-term opening pair, does that mark a gradual phasing out of Rohit Sharma in the format? The current Indian captain has been a stalwart of ODI cricket, but with 27 ODIs scheduled before the next World Cup, the transition plan may soon begin to take shape.
Then there’s Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made his ODI debut earlier this year against England in Nagpur. At 23, he’s another top-order left-hander brimming with potential. With Abhishek’s name gaining traction, the selectors will have to decide how many openers are viable in a three-match series squad. Is there room for both Jaiswal and Abhishek? Or does one make way for the other?
A Glimpse Into the Future
Sources suggest that if Rohit Sharma is retained for the Australia ODIs, Abhishek could be added as a reserve opener – a move that would simultaneously signal the management’s intention to integrate him into the setup and begin grooming him for the 2027 marquee event.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, who is currently in Dubai, is expected to announce the West Indies Test squad today. However, it’s understood that discussions surrounding the future composition of the ODI team and Abhishek’s potential inclusion are already in full swing.
With the right blend of aggression, versatility, and calm under pressure, Abhishek Sharma could soon be more than just a talking point. He may very well be the face of India’s new ODI era. The question is not if he gets but who steps aside to make space.
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