Abhishek has established himself as one of India’s most destructive batters in T20 internationals, thanks to his fearless approach at the top of the order.

However, he is yet to make his ODI debut, with competition for opening positions remaining intense.

Speaking to Cricbuzz at a promotional event in Mumbai, Yuvraj highlighted Abhishek’s consistent performances and questioned what more the youngster needs to do to earn a place in the ODI squad. He also acknowledged that the presence of established international stars makes the selection process challenging.

Yuvraj Singh makes strong case for Abhishek Sharma

Yuvraj has been closely involved in Abhishek’s development and has consistently backed the youngster’s ability to succeed at the highest level. The former India star believes selectors should look beyond individual scores and recognise the consistency Abhishek has displayed in white-ball cricket.

“Whether he has scored 35, 100 or 31, 100, the point is that he has been performing consistently in white-ball cricket for a very long time. What more he needs to do to get into the ODI squad, I don’t know.

“Maybe he needs to contribute more with his bowling and fielding. But that will only happen if he gets an opportunity to play.”

Yuvraj’s comments underline his belief that young players need opportunities to demonstrate their abilities in different formats. While Abhishek has made a significant impact in T20 cricket, a chance in ODIs would allow him to develop his game for longer innings and different match situations.

He also stressed that players cannot improve their contribution with the ball or in the field without being given opportunities at the international level.

Why Abhishek Sharma could be valuable for India in ODIs?

Abhishek’s aggressive batting could offer India a different dimension in the 50-over format. His ability to score quickly during the powerplay could help the team establish strong foundations and put opposition bowlers under pressure from the beginning.

Modern ODI cricket increasingly rewards batters who can combine attacking intent with the ability to build substantial innings.

Abhishek’s challenge will be to translate his T20 success into a format that demands greater patience, adaptability and consistency over 50 overs.

His recent performances have strengthened the argument for giving him a chance. Abhishek struck a remarkable century against New Zealand in the third T20I in Wellington, sharing a 133-run opening partnership with young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

The innings demonstrated his ability to dominate bowling attacks and maintain a high scoring rate. Although T20 success does not automatically guarantee ODI success, it provides a strong reason for selectors to assess his potential in the longer white-ball format.

 

Competition for India’s opening positions remains intense

Despite Yuvraj’s backing, Abhishek faces a difficult path into India’s ODI squad. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have occupied prominent roles at the top of the order, while Yashasvi Jaiswal is another option competing for opportunities.

India’s selectors must balance the need to develop younger players with the importance of maintaining a settled combination ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Making room for Abhishek could require changes to the existing batting order or a decision to use him as a backup opener initially.

Yuvraj understands the difficulty of the situation but believes strong performances should count in a player’s favour.

“I understand that the situation is difficult right now because there is so much competition for places in the squad, along with some big names.”

He also pointed to Sooryavanshi’s rise as an example of a young player making an impression through his performances.

Yuvraj wants Abhishek to get an ODI opportunity before 2027

With the 2027 World Cup approaching, India have a limited window to experiment with their squad and identify players capable of contributing to the campaign. Giving Abhishek opportunities in upcoming ODI assignments could help the team assess his suitability for the format well before the tournament.

The youngster would need to demonstrate that his attacking style can succeed against different bowling attacks and under varying match conditions. His bowling and fielding could also become important factors in strengthening his selection case.

Yuvraj’s message is clear: talent needs an opportunity to prove itself. Abhishek may not immediately displace an established opener, but an ODI call-up would allow India to evaluate him as a potential long-term option.