Former Indian chief selector Sandeep Patil has questioned Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s credentials while playing outside India. Abhishek scored 229 runs in three games of the series at an average of 76.33 and a blistering strike rate of 269.71 against Afghanistan. Thus, the left-hander was awarded Player of the Series.
However, the left-hander had come into the series against Afghanistan with some pressure as he had managed only 11 runs in three games against Zimbabwe.
On the other hand, Sooryavanshi returned with scores of 13, 14 and 15 in three T20Is against England but scored 151 runs in three games against Zimbabwe. Sooryavanshi didn’t get his chance against Afghanistan.
Sandeep Patil said on SportsNext, “But there is one thing I would like to say about their batting. Due respect to Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, we have seen that when they travelled outside India and the ball started moving around a little, they faced some difficulties. These two young players will also have to pay attention to that aspect and work on it. Just because you are a lion at home in India, you shouldn’t become a cat when you go overseas.”
Meanwhile, Patil admitted he wasn’t surprised after Abhishek Sharma scored a stunning century against Afghanistan in the final game. Abhishek scored a magnum opus knock of 108 runs off 34 balls, including nine fours and 11 sixes in the final game of the series.
“I wasn’t surprised. Abhishek scored a century, and the Indian team scored 100 runs in six overs. I don’t know whether this is the first or last time it will happen, or when we’ll see it happen again. But you have to give them credit. You know, these young players in modern-day cricket have been given a license to kill, and they are using it absolutely the right way. Whether it’s Abhishek or Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, I would say it’s remarkable.
“They have tremendous power, quality and skill, and they are making the right use of those skills. They don’t hold back. We always used to say, ‘Don’t play half-heartedly.’ They play with full commitment and go for their shots from the very first ball. You have to call it remarkable,” he added.
Abhishek reached his century off just 30 balls, which is the fastest for a batter from a Test-playing nation. The southpaw scored his runs at a blistering strike rate of 317.65 as he batted at the top of his game.
