Abhishek Sharma has been a revelation for India in the ongoing Asia Cup and the young southpaw has spearheaded the team's batting in the competition.
Sharma has been leaps and bounds ahead of all his peers in the Indian team as well as across the tournament, as he is the only player to breach the 300-run mark in the competition and is the favourite to win the player of the tournament award.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad star has maintained an average of 51.50 in six innings and has batted at a strike rate of 204.63.
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And after Sharma's batting, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has lavished praise on the youngster, while drawing a comparison with West Indies legend Chris Gayle, who is widely considered as one of the greatest T20 batters of all time.
READ: Most consecutive 30+ scores in T20Is: Abhishek Sharma equals Rohit Sharma’s T20I record
"Batting better than Chris Gayle" - Mohammad Kaif on Abhishek Sharma
On his YouTube channel, ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, Kaif has even argued that the Indian opener is at times better than the Caribbean icon.
Kaif said: "I do think that Abhishek Sharma is batting like Chris Gayle. But he is batting better than Chris Gayle. When the ball used to move or turn, Chris Gayle would pick one bowler and target him. He could hit one bowler for five sixes, but he also played a maiden over when there was some movement.
"He is becoming even more dangerous than Chris Gayle as he hits six on the first ball itself. Against Shaneen Afridi, he hit a six with a pull, stepped out and hit a four, then another six on the next ball. Chris Gayle didn't do this. I have played with him for two years in RCB. He used to bat very smartly, giving respect to good bowlers. Abhishek Sharma is intimidating the bowlers."
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What next for Abhishek Sharma?
All eyes will be on Sharma as India are banking heavily on their fiery opener to give them a solid head start, especially if they are batting first in the Asia Cup 2025 final.