Punjab-born former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu roots for Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill to be the all-format opening batter pair for Indian cricket. Shubman Gill is already playing in all three, while Abhishek is stuck with the T20I format only. Prior to the Asia Cup 2025, chief selector Ajit Agarkar mentioned Abhishek's bowling skills to be one of the main positives for him not being axed from the opening spot, unlike Yashasvi Jaiswal. Sidhu not only backed Abhishek in all formats, but he even wants him to fill the role of Virender Sehwag, who used to be an explosive opener in his playing days. In a video posted on Instagram, Sidhu said, "I want to see this Punjabi pair in all formats. Abhishek Sharma should be groomed to play every format, because if you play him across formats another Virender Sehwag will be born. I'm dead sure of it. Everyone always knew Shubman Gill was born to win hearts. But Abhishek, when it comes to hitting sixes, I've never seen anyone better than him." Abhishek had a great start in the Asia Cup. In the encounter against Pakistan in Super Four, Abhishek smashed 74 off just 39 balls, including six boundaries and five big sixes. He stitched a 105-run partnership with Shubman Gill (47 off 28) while chasing 172. Read also: Mandhana Tops ICC ODI Rankings; Deepti, Kranti Rise Sidhu further supported Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and the head coach, Gautam Gambhir, for their apt decisions. The backing came especially after they used the all-rounder Shivam Dube in the tournament. Sidhu added, "Bringing in Shivam Dube, full credit for that goes to our captain Suryakumar Yadav and also to Gautam Gambhir. This Suryakumar and Gambhir pairing is doing an amazing job." Shivam Dube so far has taken five wickets in the 2025 Asia Cup, the second highest for India after Kuldeep Yadav, who is topping the multinational list with 9 wickets. Notably, India will be facing Bangladesh today for their second match at the Dubai International Stadium.