"I’ll Talk To Yuvraj": EX-IND Cricketer Warns Abhishek Sharma, Suggests Improvement
Abhishek, India’s T20I batting mainstay, led Asia Cup runs and shone against Australia, but Irfan Pathan warns teams may counter his aggressive style in the World Cup.Abhishek has emerged as India’s batting mainstay, spearheading their dominance in T20Is with his fearless strokeplay at the top of the order. Known for his attacking brand of cricket, the 25-year-old has been instrumental in India’s unbeaten run and eventual triumph in the Asia Cup earlier this year, where he finished as the tournament’s highest run-getter. His form continued in the five-match T20I series against Australia, where he piled up 163 runs at an average of 40.75 and bagged the Player of the Series award.A defining feature of Abhishek’s batting has been his tendency to step out of the crease and hammer bowlers straight down the ground. However, Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that international teams will study his game closely ahead of the World Cup and find ways to counter that move.“Abhishek won the Man of the Series, but when you look closely, teams come prepared in the World Cup. If Abhishek continues to step out, then teams will work out. He should pick and choose. You can’t step out every bowler on the first ball of every innings. There should be a rationale behind an aggressive approach," Pathan said on his YouTube channel.The former cricketer pointed out how Abhishek struggled during the rain-hit final T20I in Brisbane against Nathan Ellis and Ben Dwarshuis, who used pace variations to trouble him.“Abhishek struggled against Nathan Ellis. Teams will use a bowler with a lot of variations in the power play. I am sure team management will be focusing on this. Even Yuvraj Singh will be focusing on it. I will speak to his mentor, Yuvraj Singh, about it. If a slower ball is used and the pace is varied while bowling at his bat flow, he gets late. He needs to work on it," Pathan added.Despite the concerns, Abhishek’s aggressive mindset continues to be India’s biggest weapon up front. His 37-ball 68 on a tricky Melbourne pitch was a testament to his fearless batting.(With Agency Inputs)
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