Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma (Source: @AhmedGT_/x.com)
Despite starting the T20I series against Australia with a blow, Team India made a remarkable bounce-back with two consecutive victories. With Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma taking charge at the top, the team has found a strong opening boost.
As the teams gear up for the final T20I, former India cricketer Sadagoppan Ramesh has sparked discussion with his bold take on India’s opening pair. Speaking on that, his remark on Gill’s role grabbed attention.
Ramesh highlights an unusual comparison between Indian openers
After the T20 Workd Cup 2024, Team India witnessed a shift in their T20I circuit as Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma took charge of the opening position. In the ongoing T20I series against Australia, the opening duo is tasting both praise and criticism. Even though fans are enjoying fiery batting, Gill’s struggle has become a concern.
In the shortest format, Shubman Gill’s struggle is raising concerns as he missed a well-deserved half-century in the last game. Ahead of stepping into the final clash of the series, a former Indian player, Sadagoppan Ramesh, weighed in with a rather unusual comparison between the two openers as a storm and a table fan.
“When the Abhishek Sharma storm strikes, India score big. In fact, the Abhishek Sharma - Shubman Gill combination feels like a table fan (Gill) during a storm (Abhishek). So we also assume that on the days the storm is in full force, the table fan is operating fine, as there is a strong wind and hence no problems. But when the storm doesn't strike, we'll ask why there is no air coming out of the table fan in the powerplay,” Ramesh said on his YouTube channel.
Abhishek Sharma emerges as India’s new X-factor
After making his T20I debut for India last year, Abhishek Sharma quickly rose through the ranks, and India found their newest T20 superstar. From the first ball, the young opener ignites the storm on the field with his power-hitting. Reflecting on his impact, Ramesh suggested that Abhishek could well become India’s biggest X-factor going forward.
“If a player like Abhishek Sharma maximises that phase, it transforms into powerful play. Yet if he gets out, it turns into a powercut. So Abhishek Sharma will be the biggest X-factor for India in the T20 World Cup,” he added.
With a 2-1 lead, Team India will step into the fifth T20I match of the series, eyeing a 3-1 victory. On the other hand, the Australian side will try hard to secure a victory to level up the series.
