Abhishek Sharma’s fearless batting display against Shaheen Afridi in the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match did not happen by chance. The young left-hander looked composed against one of the most feared pacers in world cricket, and much of the credit goes to his father, Raj Kumar Sharma, who had been preparing him for such challenges nearly a decade ago.
The game saw a fiery start as Shaheen Afridi, known for troubling Indian openers with his pace and swing, steamed in with his trademark full delivery. But instead of being unsettled, Abhishek Sharma confidently dispatched the very first ball for a boundary. The next delivery went soaring over the ropes for a six, stunning fans and putting the left-arm quick under pressure. By the time Afridi adjusted his length, Abhishek had already asserted his dominance with clean strikes, showing no signs of hesitation even against deliveries clocking above 145 kmph.
This fearless attitude was no accident. Raj Kumar Sharma, a former first-class cricketer himself, revealed that he had made his son face genuine fast bowlers during his Under-16 days. While many feared Abhishek might get injured facing 150 kmph bowling at such a young age, he embraced the challenge, often asking his father to make bowlers bowl even quicker. This tough early training instilled in him the confidence and technique to face world-class fast bowling without nerves.
Growing up in a cricket-loving family, Abhishek’s childhood was filled with practice sessions, catching drills, and hours of batting. His passion for the sport was evident early on, and senior players often predicted that he would one day represent India. That prediction came true, and now the 25-year-old is making headlines not just with his batting but also with his potential as an all-rounder.
Raj Kumar Sharma believes his son’s journey has just begun. “Abhishek has the ability to win many more matches for India, not only with the bat but also with the ball,” he said, confident that the youngster will continue to play a vital role in Indian cricket’s future.
With such fearless performances against elite pacers like Shaheen Afridi, Abhishek Sharma has established himself as a rising star who could be a cornerstone of India’s next generation of cricketers.