Sunil Gavaskar lauds Abhishek Sharma, says India is going to dance to win when left-hander is on song after victory over Pakistan

Legendary Sunil Gavaskar showered praise on Abhishek Sharma after India registered a comprehensive six-wicket win against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Sunday in the Super Four clash of the Asia Cup.

Sharma scored an impressive knock of 74 runs off 39 balls against Pakistan and scored his runs at a blistering strike rate of 189.74. The left-hander scored six fours and five sixes in his whirlwind knock as he batted at the top of his game.

Gavaskar said India will win convincingly on days when Sharma will be on a roll.

“The day he is on song, the Indian team is not only going to win, they are going to dance to a win. Because when somebody is singing, you have to dance. The others will dance to a win and the crowd will also be dancing in the stands with the display of batsmanship that we see,” Gavaskar said on India Today.

Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill added 105 runs inside the first 10 overs and Gavaskar lauded the Punjab duo.

“Both these Punjab guys [Abhishek and Gill], what a display of batting. It was just incredible. The attack was a decent one from Pakistan,” the 76-year-old added.

The former Indian opener said Sharma has a good cricket brain on his shoulders as he picks his spots with guile.

Gavaskar said, “The way Abhishek anticipated, having hit Shaheen Afridi for a four off the front foot in their previous encounter, that the first ball would be a short ball… Sometimes, mentally you have to outthink the bowler. And he anticipated it so well. That also tells you, this young man has a good cricketing head on his shoulders.”

India will next take on Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Wednesday.