'Lot of potential, but not enough performance' - Aakash Chopra's 'final opportunity' warning to Abhishek Sharma ahead of England T20Is
Abhishek has failed to make a mark in his nascent 20-over career.
Abhishek Sharma is set to partner with Sanju Samson at the top of the order in India's five-match T20I series against England. He was preferred over the swashbuckling Yashasvi Jaiswal for the 20-over leg of the white-ball series. In the 11 T20I innings so far, Abhishek has fared quite underwhelmingly barring the explosive century against Zimbabwe in his very second T20I innings.
Former cricketer-turned-commentator, Aakash Chopra, extended a fair caution to the young southpaw in relation to the latter's performances in the upcoming series. Chopra felt a change in the opening combination could be on the cards if Abhishek fails to be up to the mark against England at home.
"Abhishek’s form has been a little up and down. In the beginning, in his second T20I, he scored a century against Zimbabwe. After that, a lot of promise, a lot of potential, but not enough performance. So, I think for Abhishek Sharma, this is the final opportunity, and I really love the kid. I think if he does well, it will be a great thing. But these 5 matches—go ahead and live your life. Because in these matches, like Sanju has made his name in the last 3 matches, in the same way, Abhishek Sharma will have to do it. Or else, there will be a little change in time, and Jaiswal will come back," shared Chopra on Star Sports' Game Plan.
'It's going to be difficult once again' - Chopra on Suryakumar
The former Indian opener also had his say on T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav's performances. Chopra felt Surya batting at one-drop, instead of Tilak Varma, would be the most ideal position for the dynamic batter.
"Honestly, for Surya, it's a little interesting. If we see the T20 numbers for the last whole year, they are very middling numbers. So, it's been a pretty dry period for Surya runs-wise. He didn't shine that much, but batting at number 4, I think, is a little counterproductive. Surya should be batting at 3, but he has given his place to Tilak. So, he will have to wait because, in the beginning, when the runs are more, Surya has less time to actually express himself. So, it's going to be difficult once again," added Chopra.
The T20I series will kickstart at the Eden Gardens on January 22, 2025. The T20Is will be followed up by three ODIs, for which Abhishek has not been selected.
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