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Ex-KKR Opener Guides Abhishek Sharma How To Avoid 'Short Ball Problem' Vs SA

Abhishek Sharma under pressure to snap out of bad form [Source: @BCCI/X.com]Abhishek Sharma under pressure to snap out of bad form [Source: @BCCI/X.com]

In a detailed analysis, analyst Aakash Chopra advised struggling Abhishek Sharma to avoid hitting the short ball as bowlers are exploiting his weakness. He instead urged him to refrain from playing pull shots to play a longer innings in the 3rd T20I against South Africa.

Abhishek Sharma’s arrival in international cricket was cinematic as he scored a century in his debut tour to Zimbabwe. However, the promising opener received a reality check soon after as he understood the difference between IPL and international cricket.

Since that century in Zimbabwe, Abhishek Sharma has been dismissed on single digit scores and barely made it out of the powerplay. In the first 2 T20I games against South Africa so far, the opener scored 7 and 4, resulting in incessant criticism. 

Aakash Chopra criticises Abhishek Sharma's short ball woes

Meanwhile, ahead of the 3rd T20I scheduled for November 13 at Centurion, analyst Aakash Chopra talked about Abhishek Sharma’s struggles in his preview video on YouTube. Chopra explained that Sharma’s weakness against short balls is exposed and the youngster has to understand where bowlers are exploiting it. 

"We need to talk about Abhishek Sharma once again because only two matches are left now. It's almost confirmed that Sanju Samson has taken one spot. Although he got out in the last match, he has scored two back-to-back centuries. The short ball problem Abhishek Sharma has, I feel he should leave that shot. You get out while trying to pull," he said.

To snap out of the lean patch, Abhishek must avoid pulling shorter deliveries and instead take a single to neutralise the threat. He added how Abhishek Sharma must take time to settle in the crease and not go bang bang from ball one.

"You got out against Bangladesh in Hyderabad and you got out similarly even for the SunRisers Hyderabad. They are going to bowl bouncers as soon as they see you. So take a single off that ball and try to score runs towards third man. Give yourself a little time because the truth is that only once besides that century (against Zimbabwe), you have batted till the third or fourth over," he added.

Abhishek Sharma to be dropped from 3rd IND vs SA T20I?

Indian management’s ideology is to back young players as they are in the grooming phase. However, Abhishek Sharma’s lean patch has tested everybody’s patience in the dressing room. As per popular perceived notion, Abhishek Sharma might be dropped from the 3rd T20I against South Africa as Tilak Varma has emerged as a strong opening candidate to bat alongside Sanju Samson. The third T20I will be held at Centurion on November 13 from 8.30 PM IST.