Asia Cup 2025: ‘That’s why I went after them,’: Abhishek Sharma reveals the truth behind his heated exchange with Haris Rauf during IND vs PAK clash

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In a dominant performance at the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 stage, India’s opener Abhishek Sharma delivered a match-winning knock against Pakistan, scoring 74 runs off just 39 balls. His innings, studded with six fours and five sixes, was fueled by a fiery on-field confrontation with the Pakistan bowlers, which began on the very first ball of the Indian chase. The young left-hander’s blistering start and a century-plus partnership with Shubman Gill effectively took the game away from Pakistan, earning him the Player of the Match award and strengthening India’s position in the tournament.

Abhishek’s innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, but it was also a direct response to what he perceived as unprovoked hostility from the opposition. The tension began immediately when he pulled a bouncer from Shaheen Afridi for a six on the first ball of the innings, and a heated exchange followed. The confrontation escalated with other bowlers, including Haris Rauf, who also got into a heated exchange with both Abhishek and his opening partner, Gill.

Speaking after the match, Abhishek revealed his motivation, stating, “Today was pretty simple, the way they were coming out to us without any reason, I did not like it at all. That’s why I went after them. I wanted to deliver for the team,” The explosive innings of 74, which included a number of boundaries and towering sixes, set the tone for India’s chase, and it was a statement that their batting would not be intimidated.

The way they were coming at us without any reason I didn’t like it and I responded with my bat

-Abhishek Sharma

— Zubair Ali Khan (@ZubairAlikhanUN) September 21, 2025

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Abhishek’s performance was also a testament to his strong partnership with fellow opener Gill. The duo, who have been playing together since their school days, forged a 101-run opening stand that shattered Pakistan’s hopes of defending their total. Their camaraderie and mutual support were evident throughout the innings, as they backed each other up during the on-field exchanges and constantly rotated the strike.

Abhishek praised their dynamic, saying, “We have been playing since school days, we enjoy each other’s company, we thought we would do it and today was the day. The way he was giving it back, I really enjoyed it.” The Indian opener attributed his confidence and aggressive intent to the backing he receives from his team, adding, “If you see someone playing like this, it’s because the team supports me and they back me. That’s the intent I show and I’m practicing really hard and if it’s my day, I’m gonna win it for my team,”

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