Abhishek Sharma has been rewarded in style after being named the Player of the Tournament at the Asia Cup 2025. The swashbuckling opener, who played a key role in helping the Indian cricket team lift the trophy, received the Haval H9 SUV as his prize. The announcement capped off a memorable campaign for both Sharma and the Indian side, which defeated Pakistan in the final and thrice overall across the tournament.
The Asia Cup 2025 was marked by the Indian team's consistent and dominant performance. The team went through the group stages without a defeat and carried the same form into the knockouts. Sharma stood out at the top of the order with brisk starts and valuable partnerships.
The Haval H9, which Sharma received, is the flagship SUV from the Chinese carmaker and comes packed with several features. It is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that develops 214hp of maximum power and 380Nm of torque. The engine is paired with an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox, and power is sent to all four wheels through a 4WD system.
Haval has also equipped the SUV with a seven-mode all-terrain control system along with front and rear differential locks, underlining its ability to handle off-road conditions with ease. The H9 has generous dimensions with a length of 4,950mm, a width of 1,930mm and a height of 1,960mm. A ground clearance of 224mm and a wading depth of 800mm further add to its go-anywhere credentials. The SUV follows a 2+3+2 seating layout, which means it can accommodate seven passengers.
Step inside and the Haval H9 offers an interior that has been designed to deliver comfort on long journeys. The driver's seat is electrically adjustable in six ways and comes with memory and lumbar support, while the front seats also get ventilation and massage functions. The cabin comes finished in PU and leather upholstery and features a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging pad and dual-zone automatic climate control with dedicated rear AC vents. Taking care of entertainment is a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 10-speaker DTS audio system ensures good sound quality.
On the safety front, the Haval H9 comes with six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, traction control, tyre pressure monitoring system and hill hold assist. The SUV also gets advanced driver assistance features such as lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, cross traffic alert, a 360-degree camera with transparent chassis view and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection.
For reference, Haval is the dedicated SUV brand of China's Great Wall Motors (GWM). At the 2020 Auto Expo in India, the Chinese automaker had showcased Haval SUVs and Ora EVs, outlining an investment of around USD 1 billion in India.
GWM signed an agreement to take over General Motors' Talegaon plant in Maharashtra, which was to be its local manufacturing base. However, the plans faced a roadblock soon after. Following border tensions between India and China in mid-2020, the Indian government tightened scrutiny of Chinese investments, which resulted in repeated delays in plant acquisition approval. By 2022, General Motors terminated the agreement, and GWM shelved its India entry.
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