Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan reckons opener Abhishek Sharma should not dance down the track against every bowler at the start of his innings. Sharma is known to play with an aggressive approach from the get-go but Pathan believes the opposition teams will work out the left-hander’s technique if he keeps repeating his methods.
Pathan cheekingly said he would also have a word with Abhishek’s coach Yuvraj Singh regarding this matter. Sharma top-scored in the five-match series against Australia with 163 runs in five games at an average of 40.75 and a strike rate of 161.39. Thus, he was awarded Player of the Series for his consistent show.
Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube Channel, “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).”
“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.
The former swing bowler said Abhishek should focus on his planning when he is advancing down the track and he should concentrate on his bat flow.
“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.
Pathan highlighted that Gill’s innings in the last two games against Australia were positive. Gill scored 46 runs off 39 balls at Gold Coast and then scored 29 runs off 16 balls at the Gabba, Brisbane before rain played killjoy.
“Shubman Gill’s innings in the last two matches have also been a big positive. I spoke about Gill in my previous video about how this template is the best for him. Focus on timing is a must. Everybody spoke about his strike rate, but the innings at Gold Coast was in a winning cause. That’s what we want, players who play according to the conditions. That is Shubman Gill. He left behind Abhishek Sharma in strike rate in Brisbane. India’s score is above 50 and if Gill’s strike rate is above 200 and Abhishek was slightly struggling – two catches off him were dropped. But Gill looked well in control. When you confidence to score runs and there is backing, you get to see results. The only hope is Gill shouldn’t leave behind this template. Timing is the template,” Pathan concluded.
Gill will next lead India in a two-match Test series against South Africa.
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