After the 2024 T20 World Cup, Abhishek Sharma was India’s best batsman, with over 192 strikeouts. However, he has five ducks in the last seven innings for this World Cup. India are about to take on South Africa and an off-spin match against him could be a ploy to get his wicket early. Former India captain Virender Sehwag and pacer Mohit Sharma have expressed their views on the batsman’s poor form.
Abhishek Sharma needs to be patient
Virender Sehwag said, “He was expected to hit that ball but he missed it. Maybe he didn’t expect it, or maybe he misjudged the pace at which he arrived. That’s why he failed to connect. He was in a position to play the shot but it didn’t materialise.”
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“I understand this situation because I have been there myself. I have had scores of 0 in two or three games. I have been sent off after the first or second ball. But coming back from that is not as difficult as it seems – it is largely about mentality.”
“When you know you’re hitting the ball well into the nets and doing everything right, you have to ask yourself, why doubt your ability? A lot of times it comes down to shot selection. You have to choose the right delivery to attack for a boundary or a six.”
Virender Sehwag uses the example of SKY for Abhishek Sharma to learn
Sehwag continued to say, “In his case, expectations can play a role, especially with someone like Abhishek Sharma, who has built a reputation by hitting a six from the very first ball. We have seen innings starting with three sixes in three deliveries. That creates enormous pressure. When expectations become so high, a player can end up forcing things and making mistakes.”
“I believe he doesn’t need to rush. Sometimes it doesn’t matter if he plays an over or two calmly. Even if he faces 12 balls without scoring much, he has the ability to explode in the next 12. We have seen him score 50 runs in 13-14 balls. So his ability is unquestionable.”
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‘I have experienced a situation like Abhishek, right mindset is needed to make a comeback’
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Sehwag finally decided, saying, “But he has to give himself time. If runs aren’t coming, he has to concentrate on spending time at the crease, play a few deliveries and settle down.”
“Look at Suryakumar Yadav: when he went through a lean phase, he adjusted his approach. He started playing 15 to 20 balls, built up rhythm and then started to speed up. Sometimes a little change in approach can make all the difference.”
India is not dependent on seizure
According to Mohit Sharma, Abhishek Sharma’s mental form has deteriorated as no player can remain strong after failing to even open the account in the last five innings. Every cricketer faces the mental pressure after poor performances. India has a batting order of up to 8, so even if the top order fails, some batters can regain the innings in the middle.
India will play South Africa in the opening match of the Super 8 match on Sunday. Abhishek Sharma will look to score his first runs in the initial stages and then start shooting after he gets established.
Also read: Abhishek Sharma’s weakness fully exposed? IPL coach drops a bombshell during spin struggles
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