3 reasons why India might ignore Abhishek Sharma for SA ODIs despite Gill's injury

India might not bring Abhishek as Gill's replacement [Source: AFP]

India might miss their regular skipper Shubman Gill in the upcoming ODI series against South Africa, with the stylish Punjab batter struggling with a neck injury. According to emerging reports, Gill will likely be ruled out of the second Test in Guwahati, while threats also loom over his participation in the subsequent three-match ODIs. 

As Shubman Gill is all set to be sidelined from the ODI series, fans may expect Abhishek Sharma to get an entry in India's squad for the South Africa series. However, despite his recent T20I exploits, Abhishek might not find a place in the ODI side due to several reasons, as explained below. 

Overall List-A record

(Abhishek's List-A numbers)

• As evidenced by the above stats, Abhishek Sharma has yet to justify his immense potential in List-A cricket. The southpaw averages just over 34 while striking at a rate of 99.95 after 65 outings. 
• The explosive left-handed batter has taken 65 innings to register 12 fifty-plus scores. While he has been proactive with his strike rate, Abhishek's tendency not to capitalise on his starts could prolong his wait for an ODI call-up. 

Recent performance in List-A cricket

• After his prolific returns in T20I cricket, which saw him smash 314 runs at an average of 44.86 and a strike rate of 200, Abhishek Sharma was fast-tracked to the India-A side for the unofficial One-Day matches against the Australians and South Africans. 
• However, the Punjab batter failed to grab the opportunity and let his team down with a string of underwhelming performances. 
• Abhishek could score only 22 runs in two matches against Australia-A before managing just 74 runs in three outings in the Proteas series. So, overall, he registered 96 runs in five List-A games after the Asia Cup at a modest average of 19.2. 
• These numbers suggest that plenty of work needs to be done on Abhishek's List-A game. As he doesn't seem ready enough for the fifty-over format, India might ignore him for the South Africa series despite Gill's injury. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad in prolific form

• While Abhishek Sharma wasted his chances against South Africa-A, his prime competitor, Ruturaj Gaikwad, boosted his ODI comeback chances with a number of impactful knocks. 
• The Chennai Super Kings skipper hammered a scintillating ton in the first ODI, following it up with another fine fifty in the next match. Overall, he finished the series with 210 runs in three matches at an average of 105 and a strike rate of 86.42. 
• So, given that Gaikwad proved his mettle with the bat, India might bring him back instead of fast-tracking Abhishek into the ODI squad. 

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