Harbhajan Singh Defends Abhishek Sharma Against Mohammad Amir's Criticism Ahead of T20 World Cup Clash
Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has criticized ex-Pakistani bowler Mohammad Amir for labeling opener Abhishek Sharma as 'just a slogger' ahead of the highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2026 match at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 15.
Amir, who participated in the last T20 World Cup, made remarks about Sharma, suggesting that the left-handed batsman relies heavily on aggressive hitting on favorable pitches and lacks defensive skills, claiming he hasn't faced challenging conditions yet.
Amir's comments ignited a wave of reactions on social media, with many users mocking him for his views on Sharma, who is set to face Pakistan for the first time in an ICC tournament. This match places significant pressure on the young opener, who is considered a vital player for India in this encounter.
India's captain, Suryakumar Yadav, confirmed during a press conference in Colombo that Sharma would participate in the crucial match after recovering from a stomach infection that had sidelined him from the game against Namibia on February 12.
In response to Amir's 'slogger' comment, Harbhajan Singh defended Sharma, asserting that he is more than just a power hitter. He emphasized that Sharma possesses a diverse range of shots, understands bowlers well, and can score effectively across the field, making the 'slogger' label inaccurate.
"What am I supposed to say to that? If you call him a slogger, fine, but he’s a proper batter with every shot in the book," Harbhajan stated.
"He knows where the ball is coming from and plays accordingly. He can hit over cover, through point, long-on, long-off, and midwicket—he has every shot. You can't just label him as a slogger," he added.
Sharma's Performance Against Pakistan
Abhishek Sharma has faced Pakistan three times, including the Asia Cup 2025 final, where he scored 110 runs at an average of 36.66 and a strike rate of 189.65, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure against the Men in Green.
Harbhajan Singh also pointed out that Pakistan lacks a player of Sharma's caliber, expressing his desire to avoid further drama before the crucial match. He cautioned Amir not to underestimate Sharma's talent, suggesting that a strong performance against Pakistan could leave a lasting impression.
"If I start naming real sloggers, some might get offended, but calling anyone just a slogger isn’t fair. Abhishek is a top-class batter who has proven himself in world cricket," Harbhajan remarked.
"Just wait and watch. If Abhishek stays at the crease, he’ll remind everyone who he is. For the last four or five months, he’s already been in your dreams. If he goes big tomorrow, he’ll be in your dreams for the next six months," he concluded.
Sharma's T20I Statistics
Abhishek Sharma has scored a total of 1297 runs in T20Is, with 861 runs coming at a strike rate of 189.64 during the first six overs of an innings. This statistic indicates that approximately 66% of his total T20I runs have been scored in the powerplay, highlighting his crucial role in providing explosive starts for India.