India is set to play a three-match ODI series against Australia, beginning on October 19.
Abhishek Sharma in Contention for Australia Tour After Stellar Asia Cup
Abhishek Sharma’s remarkable start to his T20I career, highlighted by his stellar performance in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, has caught the attention of India’s selection committee. If reports are accurate, the left-handed batter could earn an ODI call-up for the three-match series against Australia starting October 19, followed by five T20Is.
According to the Times of India, Abhishek Sharma has impressed chief selector Ajit Agarkar and other committee members with his T20I exploits. In the Asia Cup so far, he has been India’s standout performer, scoring 173 runs in four matches—the most by any batter in the tournament—at an exceptional strike rate of 208.43.
Beyond his batting, Abhishek’s part-time off-spin makes him a versatile asset in Gautam Gambhir’s setup. In 12 bowling innings, including overs in the Asia Cup group-stage matches against Pakistan and Oman, he has taken six wickets at an economy rate of 8.09. He has also spent countless hours bowling in the nets, most recently assisting vice-captain Shubman Gill in optional net sessions to improve against spin.
Rohit Sharma’s spot under fresh spotlight
If the team opts to continue the Gill-Abhishek combination in ODIs, similar to the T20Is, it could create uncertainty over Rohit Sharma’s future. It may also affect Yashasvi Jaiswal’s prospects, as the left-hander, who missed the Asia Cup T20I squad last month, made his ODI debut earlier this year against England in Nagpur.
Should the selectors choose to retain Rohit for the Australia tour, Abhishek could be included as a backup—a move that may reflect the management’s long-term strategy for the 2027 World Cup.
