New Delhi: In what was a perfect audition for the Champions Trophy 2025, Abhishek Sharma hammered a sensational knock of 170 runs off just 96 balls in Punjab’s clash against Saurashtra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 on Tuesday, December 31. Punjab skipper Abhishek combined with his opening partner Prabhsimran Singh to make a mockery of the Saurashtra bowling attack at the Gujarat College Cricket Ground in Ahmedabad.
Abhishek seems to be making all the right noises ahead of the Champions Trophy as he is knocking on the selectors’ door for his maiden ODI call-up for Team India. The swashbuckling left-hander, who is known for his big-hitting prowess, took the attack to the Saurashtra bowlers from the word go after opening the batting for Punjab with Prabhsimran.
He raced to his century off 60 balls before adding another 70 runs off the next 36 balls. His sensational 170-run-knock was laced with 22 fours and 8 sixes and came at a blazing strike rate of over 177. Prabhsimran perfectly complimented Abhishek with a brilliant knock of 125 runs off 95 balls studded with 11 fours and 8 sixes as the duo put on a mammoth opening stand of 298 runs.
Thanks to their blazing tons, Punjab managed to post a whopping 424/5 on the board in 50 overs, their highest-ever total in the history of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The 298-run stand between Abhishek and Prabhsimran became the joint second-highest in the Vijay Hazare Trophy as they equalled the record of the 298-run stand between Bengal’s Sudip Gharami and Abhimanyu Easwaran in 2022.
The record for the highest opening partnership in the Vijay Hazare Trophy is held by Tamil Nadu’s N. Jagadeesan and B. Sai Sudharsan, who shared a stunning 416-run stand for the first wicket against Arunachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022. The 416-run partnership is also the highest opening stand across all List-A cricket.
ODI call-up on the cards for Abhishek Sharma?
Abhishek’s stunning ton has certainly improved his chances of earning his maiden ODI call-up soon. The aggressive left-hander has already made his T20I debt for India after enjoying a memorable season with the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He has so far played 12 T20Is for India and has scored 256 runs, including a century and a half-century.
However, he is yet to make his ODI debut for the country and will be hoping to continue his impressive run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy to get a call-up in the squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. Abhishek or Yashasvi Jaiswal can be selected as a back-up opener for Shubman Gill for the premie tournament which is set to be played in February next year.
Ayush Mhatre shines for Mumbai
Aysuh Mhatra continued his impressive run for Mumbai as an opener as Prithvi Shaw remains on the sidelines. The youngster, who is also part of the India U19 team, played a brilliant knock of 181 runs in 117 balls to power Mumbai to 403/7 in their clash against Nagaland in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Tuesday. Mhatre’s knock was laced with 15 fours and 11 sixes.
Punjab skipper Abhishek Sharma smashed a sensational knock of 170 runs in their clash against Saurashtra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 on Tuesday. Abhishek has enhanced his chances of maiden ODI call-up for the Champions Trophy with his daddy ton. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
