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Former Indian keeper-batter Surinder Khanna has opened up on the opening batter Abhishek Sharma, who has been getting excellent starts in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 campaign, but failing to convert them into bigger scores.
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Speaking exclusively to ANI, Surinder has asserted that Abhishek’s strokeplay is very good against the new ball, pushing the new ball bowlers on the back foot straightaway in the powerplay overs. However, he wants to see him convert scores into bigger ones to retain his ICC No.1 batting rank for a longer period of time.
"He's (Abhishek Sharma) a very exciting player. And his stroke play is very good, on the new game. The start he's getting, convert that into a big score. Because if you make good 25-30 runs, and don't play big, you can't stay there for long. Because if you keep good players out, you get a chance. So you have to play long innings. Whether he comes or not, it's up to him," Surinder Khanna told ANI.
Furthermore, Surinder also noted that he doesn’t see Men In Green as a major threat for Team India in the Super Fours stage, adding that they have players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, who can change the game’s complexion. Moreover, he concluded by stating that India shouldn’t take the opposition lightly.
"Unfortunately, I don't see Pakistan as much of a threat. So, how many runs India will win or how many wickets it will win is the question. In the last 15-20 years, we've seen the quality of fast bowlers they have had. There is Shaheen Afridi, and the rest are his spin-oriented attacks. So there have been a lot of changes in that. But they shouldn't take any team lightly, especially when you play with such rivals," he added.
Team India will lock horns with Pakistan in the Super Fours stage on Sunday, September 21, in Dubai.
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