Synopsis
Abhishek Sharma faces a crucial test in the upcoming T20 series against England, as Aakash Chopra emphasizes the need for consistent performance to secure his place in the team amidst significant transitions following Kohli and Sharma's retirements.Key Takeaways
- Abhishek Sharma must deliver consistent performances.
- Aakash Chopra views this series as Sharma's final opportunity.
- India holds a slight edge in T20I matches against England.
- The series begins in Kolkata and concludes in Mumbai.
- Both teams feature strong batting lineups for an exciting contest.
New Delhi, Jan 22 (NationPress): This is undoubtedly a period of transition for the Indian team as they navigate the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who exited the shortest format following their triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Abhishek Sharma stands out as a potential replacement, yet he has struggled to deliver consistent performances during his limited time with the national squad.
The left-handed opener is recognized for his capability to score in all areas of the pitch. His talent was particularly evident when he notched a remarkable century off just 47 balls in the second T20I against Zimbabwe in July 2024.
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has highlighted Sharma's abilities but insists that he must be at the top of his game during the five-match series against England, starting on Wednesday at Eden Gardens, if he hopes to retain his position in the team.
"Abhishek’s performance has been somewhat inconsistent. He started strong, scoring a century in his second T20I against Zimbabwe. There’s been a lot of promise, but not enough results. Therefore, I believe for Abhishek Sharma, this is the last chance, and I really admire the kid. If he performs well, it would be fantastic. But these five matches are crucial—he needs to seize the moment. Just like Sanju made a name for himself in the last three matches, Abhishek will have to do the same. Otherwise, there could be a shift in the lineup, and Jaiswal might return," Chopra stated to Star Sports.
Sharma has represented India in 12 T20Is, and aside from his century against Zimbabwe, he has accumulated only 156 runs in 11 matches. While his strike rate is impressive at 171.81, his average is concerning at 23.27.
The team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will be strengthened by the return of seasoned bowler Mohammed Shami ahead of the crucial Champions Trophy set to commence next month. Shami last played for India during the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November 2023. Additionally, pacer Mark Wood will return to the squad for the first time since August, joining Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton in England's bowling lineup as the visitors announced their playing XI for the series opener on Tuesday.
India and England have clashed 24 times in T20Is, with India holding a narrow edge with 13 victories against England's 11. However, India has triumphed in five of the last seven T20I battles since 2021. Their most recent T20I encounter was in the semi-finals of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup, where India claimed a memorable win.
The series kicks off in Kolkata and will proceed to Chennai, Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai for the subsequent matches, culminating in the final T20I in Mumbai on February 2.
Chopra further characterized the contest between these two heavyweights as a ‘bat-vs-bat showdown.’
"It's going to be a bat-vs-bat contest. Both sides have strong batting lineups. This isn’t a light encounter; it’s a heavyweight battle where if one team hits a six, the other could hit two. If the pitch behaves favorably, we might see both innings score equivalently. The first match can set the tone, and the opposing team will certainly take notice of it.
“Both teams are also considering their batting lineups. That's why they field two or three genuine bowlers, while the rest are all-rounders. When both sides play a similar style of cricket, it sets the stage for an exciting clash. In my view, we can expect plenty of runs,” he added.
