Asia Cup 2025: Former India opener wants Abhishek Sharma to turn 70s into centuries after Pakistan heroics

Published - 22 Sept 2025, 12:54 IST | Updated - 22 Sept 2025, 12:54 IST

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has advised Abhishek Sharma to convert his good starts into big hundreds after the youngster dominated Pakistan during the Super Fours fixture in Dubai on Sunday, September 21. The left-hander was the star of the match, smashing 74 off 39 balls, including six fours and five sixes as his innings helped India secure a six-wicket victory with seven balls to spare.

In a video, Sehwag was seen speaking to Abhishek after his heroics and told the young batter that whenever he reaches 70 or 80 runs, he should aim to convert it into a century. Sehwag mentioned that this was advice given to him by Sunil Gavaskar, who wanted him to avoid regretting missed centuries. He encouraged Abhishek to always try to finish strong and remain unbeaten whenever he is in good form.

"Many, many congratulations, and I would say whenever you reach seventy, don’t miss out on converting it into a hundred. Because this is something Sunil Gavaskar once told me — when you retire, you’ll think back about those innings where you got out on seventy or eighty. If only I had converted those, I might have ended up with so many more centuries in my career. These opportunities don’t come again and again. When you’re batting well, on the day that it’s your day, try to finish unbeaten — that’s always better. Keep that in mind," said Sehwag in Sony Sports.

The presenter Gaurav Kapur jokingly told Sehwag that this advise should come from Abhishek’s guru, Yuvraj Singh. Abhishek replied that Yuvraj always reminds him to let others have a chance to bat as well when he is at the crease.

"That’s 100 percent certain, because he always says — when you’ve hit a six, then give the other guy a chance to hit too. I’m working on that," said Abhishek.

India will next face Bangladesh on Wednesday, September 24, in their second Super Fours fixture.