Former India all-rounder Aakash Chopra says Abhishek Sharma is under considerable pressure ahead of the upcoming four-match T20I series against South Africa. Aakash Chopra has said that Abhishek Sharma may lose his place in the playing XI for the next series if he fails to perform against South Africa.
Opening batsmen Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill have not been included in the T20I squad for the South Africa series as they prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. However, they may return to the T20I lineup for the England series in January next year.
The pressure will be on Abhishek Sharma – Aakash Chopra
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra stated that the T20I series against South Africa is a do-or-die situation for Abhishek Sharma. Chopra explained that Abhishek has to perform in this series to retain his spot as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill are set to rejoin the team soon.
“I think India have two or three big questions. The pressure will be on Abhishek Sharma and a little bit on Sanju Samson, although Sanju scored a hundred in the last match. So I’m not going to say there is any pressure on Sanju,” he said.
“But Yashasvi (Jaiswal) will come and Shubman Gill will come at some stage, you think whenever you get a chance to open you have to score a lot of runs. So it’s important for him but for Abhishek Sharma it’s do or die. After that England When a T20I series is played at home, if you don’t score runs here, you will definitely be bowled out,” Chopra said.
I Find Him A Very Good Player – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra noted that Abhishek Sharma has not scored a remarkable knock since his century against Zimbabwe. Chopra said that given the frequent changes in the team, the openers will have to make an impact to retain their place in the squad.
“I like Abhishek a lot. I think he is a very good player. He also scored a hundred in Zimbabwe, but after that hundred there has not been a performance so far that Abhishek Sharma will have to be retained.” he said.
“It’s a volatile situation in Indian cricket. Changes happen very fast. In England, the season doesn’t change that much on a day-to-day basis, although it changes many times over there, but the changes in the Indian team do. That’s why it’s important for the openers,” Chopra noted. did
Team India will face South Africa in the Four Match T20I Series
India are set to take on South Africa in the four-match T20I series with the first T20I in Durban on Friday, November 8. Abhishek is expected to open with Sanju Samson in all the T20I matches. The selectors have not included spare keys in the squad, but adjustments can be made if necessary.
Abhishek made his T20I debut for Zimbabwe against India in July after an impressive IPL 2024 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad. After a duck in his debut match, he scored 100 runs off 47 balls in his second T20I. Apart from the century, he scored a total of 16 runs in the other six innings.
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