Sanath Jayasuriya’s Strong Endorsement for Abhishek Sharma
Legendary Sri Lankan cricketer and current national team head coach Sanath Jayasuriya has given a glowing endorsement of India’s rising opener Abhishek Sharma ahead of the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 final. Speaking after Sri Lanka’s close Super Over defeat against India in Abu Dhabi, Jayasuriya applauded Sharma’s free-flowing style of batting and credited the Indian team management for allowing the youngster to express himself at the top of the order.
According to Jayasuriya, Abhishek’s ability to combine aggression with maturity makes him one of the most exciting talents to watch in modern T20 cricket. “He is playing his natural game, and the coaches have encouraged him to continue doing so. That’s the key to his success,” Jayasuriya stated.
Abhishek Sharma’s Impactful Run in Asia Cup 2025
The 25-year-old Indian opener has been in sublime touch, recording three consecutive half-centuries during the Super 4s stage of the tournament. His scores of 74 against Pakistan, 75 against Bangladesh, and 61 against Sri Lanka have cemented his reputation as one of India’s most dependable powerplay strikers.
What has impressed experts is his adaptability. After an initially quiet group stage, Abhishek has shown he can explode in the first six overs and also build longer innings when required. “Whenever he wants to slow down, he knows how to slow down. That’s a big improvement,” said Jayasuriya, drawing parallels with his own explosive batting style during the 1996 World Cup era.
India’s Confidence Ahead of the Final
India’s thrilling Super Over victory against Sri Lanka underlined their ability to handle pressure. Arshdeep Singh bowled a nerveless over to defend the score after Sri Lanka, powered by Pathum Nissanka’s hundred, matched India’s 202 in regulation play. This result gave India a morale boost heading into the summit clash against Pakistan, while also showcasing Abhishek Sharma’s value at the top.
Sri Lanka’s Positives Despite Super 4s Exit
Although Sri Lanka bowed out of the tournament after three consecutive Super 4s losses, Jayasuriya chose to focus on the positives. He highlighted the batting brilliance of Pathum Nissanka, who struck a magnificent 107, and Kusal Perera, whose quick-fire 58 kept the chase alive. Their 127-run stand showed the depth in Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.
“When you’re chasing 200-plus, you need to keep finding boundaries. Our players showed commitment, and that’s a strong sign for the future,” Jayasuriya remarked. He also praised Nissanka for playing through a hamstring niggle and giving his all for the team.
Learning to Adapt Quickly to Conditions
One recurring theme in Jayasuriya’s reflections was the importance of adapting to conditions in T20 cricket. He admitted that Sri Lanka’s inability to adjust quickly in Abu Dhabi hurt their campaign. Against Bangladesh, they failed to defend a solid score, while against Pakistan, slow adjustments to the changing pitch proved costly.
“In T20 cricket, assessing conditions quickly is everything. We were too slow at times, and that cost us games. But the potential is there,” he said.
No Mental Block Against India
Jayasuriya firmly dismissed suggestions that Sri Lanka suffers from a psychological barrier when facing India. Recalling both the latest loss and their Super Over defeat in Pallekele last year, he said: “There’s no mental block. We almost chased 200, and that shows our quality. It’s about execution, not fear.”
The Road Ahead for Sri Lanka
While Sri Lanka’s campaign ended before the final, Jayasuriya expressed optimism about his squad’s future. He believes that with better situational awareness and sharper bowling in crunch moments, this team has the ability to challenge the world’s best consistently.
“The key is to execute plans according to conditions and opposition. If we do that, this team can go very far,” he concluded.
Conclusion
As India prepares to face arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final, all eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma. With the license to attack and the temperament to adapt, Sharma has quickly emerged as a vital cog in India’s T20 setup. Sanath Jayasuriya’s praise not only validates his growing stature but also adds an extra layer of intrigue to what promises to be a high-voltage clash.
