Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have come under scrutiny after disappointing performances in the first two T20Is against Bangladesh. Both openers failed to capitalize on their opportunities, scoring just 16 and 15 runs, and 29 and 10 runs respectively.
With prominent players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad unavailable for the series, this was seen as a prime chance for the duo to solidify their place in the Indian T20I setup. However, their underwhelming displays have left them vulnerable to being dropped ahead of the upcoming South Africa series.
Former cricketer Aakash Chopra voiced his concerns over their performances while analyzing the games. In a video on his YouTube channel, Chopra pointed out that such rare chances don’t come often, and the pair may regret missing this opportunity. “Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have had two matches, and neither has contributed significantly. You have the license to play long knocks, but haven’t done so,” Chopra remarked.
He further speculated that with players like Jaiswal, Gill, and Gaikwad likely to be available for the South Africa tour, Sharma and Samson’s future in the squad could be at risk. “When the South Africa tour comes, there might be more openers in the mix. Suddenly, you have five openers, and not all of them will get to play. Ishan Kishan could also knock on the door soon. When you find yourself in that situation, you may regret that you wasted your chances,” Chopra added.
Chopra’s analysis also touched on how the conditions in New Delhi affected the batsmen. While the pitch was tricky during the early overs, it improved after the powerplay, offering better batting conditions.
Chopra advised that rather than going all out from the start, players like Abhishek and Samson should take time to settle before attacking. “These two matches have passed. You will need to give yourself a little time. If a big score can be made, let’s not sell ourselves short,” he said.
As India prepares for its next international assignments, it remains to be seen whether Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson will get another opportunity to prove themselves or if the selectors will turn to other in-form players.
