Even if Abhishek Sharma plays 20 percent like Yuvraj Singh, he will be a big player: Kamran Akmal

Abhishek Sharma played a breathtaking knock in the first T20I against England at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday, January 22. His heroics with the bat helped India make light work of a 133-run target.

Abhishek attacked the England bowlers from the get-go and threw them off their game. The southpaw was eventually dismissed for a whirlwind 79 off 34 balls, belting five fours and eight sixes. India reached home shortly after his dismissal, with seven wickets and 43 balls in the bank.

Yuvraj Singh has mentored Abhishek and helped him hone his skills over the years. Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal feels that Abhishek will reach great heights even if he can play 20 percent like his mentor.

"I think Abhishek Sharma spent quality time with his mentor Yuvraj Singh after the T20I series in South Africa. He is an excellent player, the more he spends time with Yuvraj [the better], even if he plays 20 percent like him, he will be a big player. It was visible [in the match], eight sixes and five fours in 79. If he continues like this, then who will catch him in T20Is?"

We must give credit to Arshdeep Singh for improving day by day: Kamran Akmal

Akmal also lauded Arshdeep Singh for the growth the left-arm pacer has shown in a very short span in international cricket. The latter picked up two wickets with the new ball on Wednesday to put England on the backfoot.

"The bowling was tremendous. We must give credit to Arshdeep Singh for improving day by day. Nice bowling, good rhythm. Taking wickets with the new ball and the highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is in very less time. It’s just 2 to 2.5 years since has come to international cricket," the cricketer-turned-expert said.

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Akmal also congratulated Arshdeep for making it to India's 15-man squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The Punjab pacer made the cut ahead of the more experienced Mohammed Siraj.

"A main bowler with responsibility and [looks] confident. He came in place of settled bowler Mohammed Siraj for the Champions Trophy. It was not easy for him but with his bowling approach, he’s part of the [ODI] side," the former wicketkeeper-batter said.