What changes in batting does Irfan Pathan want Abhishek Sharma to make? ‘…I will even speak to Yuvi’

Indian opener Abhishek Sharma has been in red-hot form up at the top of the order. He has been giving India quick-fire starts in the power play, rattling the opposition more often than not. However, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan cautioned Abhishek that if he steps out to attack every bowler, teams will start figuring him out. On a light-hearted note, he would say he would have a conversation with Yuvraj Singh, who is a mentor to Abhishek.

“Abhishek Sharma got the Player of the series award and he has been playing fearlessly but we are talking about bilateral series here. Although Asia Cup was a multi-nation series. But teams are well-prepared in World Cups. If Abhishek Sharma steps out and plays every time, teams will start working him out. So, he must pick and choose and I’m sure team management will be concentrating on this. Even Yuvraj Singh will be focusing on it. I will even speak to Yuvi (laughs),” Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

“Abhishek will also be thinking that he cannot step out to every bowler in every inning. So, planning can be better. In this game, two catches were dropped off his bowling and even if one would’ve been taken, his innings would have ended,” he added.

Out of four times Abhishek got out in the series, he was dismissed by Nathan Ellis thrice. “He will play the same way. It’s high-risk cricket and it has high reward but sometimes people may think ‘What shot was this?’ But fearless cricket should also have some rationale and planning. I’m sure Abhishek Sharma will be focusing on this. If he is stepping out, which bowler he needs to do it against. Second thing is, Nathan Ellis troubled him; hence, bowlers around the world will bowl to him with variation in the powerplay. Hence, he needs to focus on that, especially the bat flow. If slower ones come with varied pace – because balls can come up to head high, we saw that in Australia. Hence, Abhishek must work on these things,” he said.

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