• Source:PTI
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India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025: India opener Abhishek Sharma said he did not like the needless belligerence of Pakistan players in their Asia Cup Super 4 match on Sunday, and an ultra-aggressive batting approach was the best possible way to reply to an in-the-face opposition.

Abhishek slammed a 39-ball 74 and shared a 105-run opening wicket stance with Shubman Gill as India surmounted a 172-run target with six wickets to spare here.

"Today it was very simple, the way they (Pakistan players) were coming at us for no reason, I didn't like it at all, and this is the only way (his aggressive batting) I could give medicine to them," said Abhishek in the post-match presentation.

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Both Abhishek and Gill had run-ins with Pakistan pacers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi during the match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Besides that, Abhishek was delighted to have shared a wonderful alliance with Gill, someone he shares a deep bond with from age-group cricket. "We have been playing since school days, we enjoy each other's company, we thought we would do it, and today was the day. The way he was giving it back, I really enjoyed it.

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"It's (the way he bats) because the team supports me. That's the intent I show, and I'm practising really hard, and if it's my day, I'm gonna win it for my team," he added.

Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah had an off-day, conceding over 10 runs an over during his four-over spell. But skipper Suryakumar Yadav did not read too much into it. "That's fine, he's not a robot, he will have a bad day someday. But (Shivam) Dube bailed us out of the situation," he said.

Suryakumar lauded Gill and Abhishek for giving India a perfect start.

"They complement each other really well (Abhishek and Gill). It's like a fire and ice combination," said Suryakumar and added in half-jest that fielding coach T Dilip will mail the players about dropping four catches while fielding.