NEW DELHI: Navjot Singh Sidhu, the charismatic former cricketer-turned-commentator and politician, has never shied away from expressing his opinions, especially when it comes to recognising young talents.
In an enthralling encounter in Chennai, Sunrisers Hyderabad secured their berth in the
IPL 2024
title clash against Kolkata Knight Riders by clinching a convincing 36-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2.
The standout performers of the match were the left-arm spin all-round duo of
Shahbaz Ahmed
and
Abhishek Sharma
, who combined to snatch five crucial wickets, significantly disrupting the Rajasthan Royals' batting lineup.
Abhishek, who had only bowled three overs across 14 games prior to this pivotal night, suddenly showcased a remarkable transformation in his bowling prowess.
With the ball in his hand, he exhibited a new-found ability to generate significant dip and turn, catching both opponents and spectators by surprise.
When asked about Abhishek's performance in IPL, Sidhu couldn't contain his admiration for the rising Indian star, showering him with praise and highlighting his potential to make a significant impact on the international stage.
"Yeh baccha taiyaar hai. He has the temperament to play in international cricket and he feels he belongs to the area. He is ready to make India proud," Sidhu said on Star Sports.
Shahbaz showcased his bowling prowess with a remarkable spell of 3 wickets for 23 runs, while Abhishek provided solid support with figures of 2 wickets for 24 runs. Together, they bowled a disciplined nine overs, conceding just 57 runs on a dry pitch where the absence of dew favored their crafty spin bowling.
As Abhishek's stars continues to rise on the domestic and franchise circuit, the inevitable question arises: Is he ready for the rigours of international cricket? Sidhu, the ever optimist, believes that Abhishek has all the ingredients to succeed at the highest level.
Abhishek, who has scored three fiery fifties so far, has amassed 482 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 207.76.
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