45 sixes, 40 minutes of bowling: Is Abhishek Sharma eyeing a spot in the Indian ODI team? He's using the Vijay Hazare Trophy as his platform.

Abhishek Sharma, a rising star in the Indian T20 team, no longer wants to limit himself to the shorter formats. Having established himself with his explosive batting in T20 international cricket, Abhishek is now on a mission to attract the attention of selectors in 50-over cricket as well. The Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) could provide him with a platform to strengthen his claim for a place in the Indian ODI team.

Clear Intention Visible in Training Session

Abhishek Sharma's intention and thinking were clearly evident during the Punjab team's training session on Sunday. According to a report by news agency PTI, as he came out to bat in the nets, he asked fellow player Gaurav Chaudhary, "What is the field?" This question wasn't about a real match, but about a hypothetical field placement. The answer was, "Mid-off is placed to save singles." This brief conversation revealed that Abhishek is preparing by adapting himself to match-like situations even in the nets.

One Hour of Batting, 45 Sixes

What followed was a testament to Abhishek Sharma's style. During his nearly hour-long batting session, he showed no intention of playing defensively. According to reports, Abhishek hit approximately 45 sixes at the Anantham Cricket Ground. This wasn't just a display of strength, but also a sign of aggressive thinking and confidence, the very qualities that have made him special in T20 cricket.

Special Preparation Against Spin

This training session wasn't limited to hitting long shots. Abhishek deliberately tested himself against spin bowlers. He batted only against off-spinners, leg-spinners, and left-arm orthodox bowlers. The pitch was gripping the ball and providing a good turn for bowlers who bowled the right length. Abhishek's focus on this suggests he understands the challenges of ODI cricket, where spin plays a crucial role in the middle overs.

He also sweated it out in the bowling.

Abhishek Sharma doesn't want to rely solely on batting. He also bowled left-arm spin for about 40 minutes in the nets. This reflects his vision to become an all-rounder, which can give any player an edge in the ODI format.

Securing a spot in the ODI team will not be easy.

Although Abhishek's hard work and determination are clear, securing a place in the ODI team will not be easy. The Indian team's opening slots are currently in strong hands. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have consistently performed well, while Yashasvi Jaiswal also strengthened his claim with a century against South Africa. Therefore, Abhishek will need to perform exceptionally well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy to impress the selectors.

BCCI eyes Vijay Hazare Trophy

Abhishek Sharma has been included in the T20 series against New Zealand and the T20 World Cup squad, but the ODI squad has not been announced yet. This is why the Vijay Hazare Trophy presents a limited but crucial opportunity for him, where every run and every innings can determine the course of his career.