Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons Abhishek Sharma can break into India’s ODI team if he scores 600 runs in the upcoming IPL 2026 season for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Sharma bagged three consecutive ducks in the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Subsequently, he was dismissed for 15 runs off 12 balls against South Africa in the Super 8 stage clash. The left-hander then scored 55 runs off 30 balls against Zimbabwe, whereas he bagged another low score of 10 runs against the West Indies.
The southpaw was dismissed for nine runs against England in the semifinal; however, he scored a crucial knock of 52 runs off 21 balls against New Zealand in the summit clash.
“If I tell the truth, you don’t stop if you do well in the IPL. Then your name comes somewhere or other for sure. So it’s a massive opportunity for Abhishek Sharma. Even while speaking, I feel whether I am saying right, can this be a breakout year for Abhishek Sharma, which means a 600-run season?” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“He has played very well thus far. He has played incredibly well, has made the ‘love’ sign the day he has played, and showed that he is here, the Travishek (Travis Head and Abhishek) pair, such an explosive approach, but if a 600-run season comes, then you will also stake a claim in ODI cricket,” he added.
Meanwhile, Abhishek scored 439 runs in 13 matches of IPL 2025 at a blistering strike rate of 193.39.
Since Rohit Sharma and captain Shubman Gill are India’s regular ODI openers, Chopra said it would be difficult for Abhishek to break into India’s top order, but feels anything can happen in the future.
“There is no place now. Rohit Sharma opens and Shubman Gill is there with him. There is no place now, but who has seen the future? Anyone can get a place anytime,” he said.
Chopra reckons batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, and Ruturaj Gaikwad are also waiting in the wings.
“Then, whether it’s Yashasvi Jaiswal or Abhishek Sharma, or Ishan Kishan storms back into the ODI setup as well, or else it’s Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson or Ruturaj Gaikwad, everyone has a chance to reach there by scoring runs. So IPL is that kind of platform that allows you to do all of that,” Chopra observed.
The IPL 2026 season will begin with reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Ahmedabad, on March 28.
