“He should be picked for ODIs as well” – Mohammad Kaif’s huge statement on India star amid NZ vs IND 2026 series

Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif showered massive praise on star India batter Abhishek Sharma amid the T20I series against New Zealand. The opener played a huge role in India’s dominant victory in the third T20I.

Given his performances and batting ability, Mohammad Kaif reckoned that Abhishek Sharma should be considered for the ODI team as well. While he acknowledged the fact that it would be impossible for him to break into the team right now, he believed that Abhishek is ready whenever the opportunity comes.

“He should be picked for ODIs as well. But till the two openers are there, there is no place now. He is doing the right things. I am surprised he is playing only one format. But he still plays impactful knocks, which is not easy. I think he is ready, and when the chance comes, he should be picked. The question is, where will he play? There are so many names too. Jaiswal is sitting out. But I feel he is not too far from his ODI debut,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.

Mohammad Kaif also urged people to stop calling Abhishek a ‘flat track bully’, highlighting his performance in the third T20I and also in the final of the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. He reckoned that the opener deserved praise and credit for doing well in different conditions.

“People should stop saying that he can play only on flat tracks. He has played in different conditions and delivered. He scored in the final of the Asian Games in Japan. Here in New Zealand also he has scored. He is showing that he can adapt and play impactful knocks. I feel we do not give enough credit to batters and just bring in conditions. New Zealand is not a weak team. The weather is also different there. So we should stop saying such things. He is moving towards greatness in T20.”

Further, he praised Abhishek for working on his game and being able to single-handedly put India in dominating positions with his attacking batting. He credited the opener for India’s consistency in putting up big totals on the board.

“He has hit good balls for big sixes. We must respect the batter and give credit. He has improved his game as well and taken it to the next level. Whenever he plays six overs, India wins the game. Abhishek decides the fortune in just six overs. Whenever we easily score 200, we can do so due to his impactful knocks,” Mohammad Kaif stated.

Abhishek slammed his fourth T20I hundred. He smashed 113 runs off just 38 balls as the Men in Blue chased down 199 runs in 13.2 overs. His knock included nine fours and 11 sixes at a strike rate of 297.37.

Mohammad Kaif on India’s opening combination

India opened with Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the third T20I. With Suryavanshi continuing in place of Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson was slotted in at number three.

Mohammad Kaif opined that it was an exciting opening duo and, given the way they batted, India could certainly look at this combination.

“If these two left-handed openers start playing off-spinners better, which they are doing as well, then they have full license to go and hit from the first ball. We will not get these kinds of talents again. These are two exciting openers and you may want to take the chance,” he said.

Abhishek and Suryavanshi added 133 runs for the opening stand in just 7.1 overs. Their blistering partnership at the top made it a completely one-sided affair.

Edited by Rishab Vm