15 February,2026 04:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Harbhajan Singh, Abhishek Sharma (Pic: File Pic)
Former Team India spinner Harbhajan Singh has defended swashbuckling batsman Abhishek Sharma after the former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir labelled him a "slogger".
In his defence, Harbhajan said that Abhishek has all the shots that not all batsmen have. He also explained that Abhishek continues to strike the ball till the time he is in the crease.
"Abhishek Sharma is a quality player, and he is a player who is determined to win matches on his own. And not once, but he can do it again and again. I have played cricket, and I know that he is a proper batter who has all the shots; a lot of batsmen don't have all the shots. A slogger is someone who only sees the ball and slogs; if it connects, great, and if it doesn't, that's fine too. He is not like that. He hits the first ball. And as long as he is on the crease, he keeps hitting. So, he is a proper batsman, he said.
"People may say whatever they want. Because, in my opinion, I don't think they have ever bowled in front of such a batter, and hence, it is wrong to comment that Abhishek is a slogger," added Harbhajan.
Further speaking, the 45-year-old former cricketer urged Abhishek to showcase his explosive batting and is hopeful that Team India post a strong total riding on the left-handed batsman's knock.
"If I tell you the definition of a slogger, then a lot of people will get angry. So, I don't want to say that. Because we don't operate on that level, that they say something and we react again and again. I don't want to do that. Because maybe he wants us to react. But, anyway, I'll say, Abhishek, show us tomorrow what you showed us before. And show us, what Abhishek can do. And I have a lot of hope from Abhishek. And if he plays for a long time, then Team India will set a very long score," he said.
The T20 World Cup 2026 match between arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, is scheduled to be played on February 15 at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma.
(With ANI Inputs)
