Harbhajan Encourages Abhishek to Bowl More, Highlights His Left-Arm Spinner Qualities

New Delhi, Feb 3 (NationPress) Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has conveyed his faith in Abhishek Sharma's ability as a full-time left-arm spinner and has encouraged the promising all-rounder to concentrate more on his bowling.

Harbhajan’s remarks came following Abhishek’s record-setting display in India’s 150-run triumph over England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, where he achieved India’s second-fastest T20I century, reaching the milestone in merely 37 balls.

Abhishek’s explosive batting was remarkable, as he smashed 13 sixes — the highest by an Indian player in a T20I innings — aiding India in posting a formidable total of 247 runs. His innings left England's bowlers reeling, with the visitors ultimately bowled out for 97 in just 10.3 overs, resulting in a comprehensive victory for India.

However, Harbhajan Singh, who has observed Abhishek’s development from the beginning of his career, stressed that the young batsman’s bowling skills hold significant untapped potential that could enhance his value as an all-rounder for the team.

While Abhishek has established himself as a powerful batsman, Harbhajan believes that he could elevate his game further by dedicating more time and effort to his bowling.

"I want to see Abhishek bowl a bit more. He is a very good bowler. When I first saw him, I noticed his seam position was excellent. However, he doesn’t invest as much effort into his bowling as he does into his batting," Harbhajan remarked on the sidelines of ILT20.

"Each time we meet, I remind him— even now— that we need to prioritize discussions about his bowling. Batting is his passion, and he will continue to thrive at it. But he can surely focus more on his bowling. He has all the attributes of a competent left-arm spinner."

Despite his outstanding batting, Abhishek’s bowling has also shown promise. The left-arm spinner has captured six wickets in his T20I career so far, maintaining an economy rate of just under 6 in his 19 overs. His capability to contribute with both bat and ball aligns with India’s strategy under Gautam Gambhir’s coaching, which emphasizes nurturing batters who can also deliver with the ball.

Harbhajan also took this moment to reflect on Abhishek’s journey, particularly his fearless mindset, which was evident from his early domestic cricket days.

Abhishek made his Ranji Trophy debut for Punjab in 2017 under Harbhajan’s captaincy, showcasing his fearless batting approach even at the age of 17.

"He was fearless from the start. He doesn’t worry about the bowler’s reputation—if the ball is in his area, he will go for the shot," Harbhajan reminisced.

"I remember a four-day match where the mid-wicket was on the boundary and a left-arm spinner bowled. But Abhishek stepped out and hit a six. I didn’t want to change him. He was inherently fearless, and I was always ready to help him improve."

In that match, Abhishek scored 94 runs on debut and concluded the season with 202 runs in just four matches—a promising beginning that highlighted his potential as an aggressive batsman. Harbhajan admired Abhishek’s natural fearlessness, stating that as a mentor, he could only help refine those instincts rather than alter them.

Abhishek’s contribution in the recent five-match T20I series against England was significant. He emerged as the top run-scorer with an impressive total of 279 runs, nearly doubling the tally of the second-placed Jos Buttler. His performances combined consistency and explosive power, solidifying India’s dominance in the series.

"Abhishek Sharma’s all-round performance in the series was exceptional," Harbhajan stated. "Not only did he display his batting talent, but he also proved that he could be a valuable asset with the ball. He just needs to polish his skills, and there are no bounds to what he can accomplish in the future."