Yuvraj Singh, having closely mentored Abhishek Sharma, believes the SRH opener is nearing his India debut but suggests he needs six more months of development before being considered ready.
Abhishek Sharma’s explosive performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL have garnered widespread attention, with his rapid starts setting the stage for numerous record-breaking displays with the bat this season. Boasting the highest strike rate of 218.18 among batters facing at least 120 deliveries in IPL 2024, he has amassed 288 runs in eight innings, including one half-century. His form has sparked debates about his inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup squad, especially with teams prioritizing aggressive starts in the Powerplay.
However, Yuvraj Singh, having mentored Abhishek closely, believes the youngster is on the cusp of an India debut but advises patience, suggesting six more months of development before considering him ready for the World Cup. Singh stressed the importance of nurturing Sharma’s talent for future opportunities with the national team.
“Abhishek is almost there but I don’t think he is ready for the World Cup right now. For the World Cup, we have to take an experienced side. Obviously, some guys have played for India. After the World Cup, he should be prepared to play for India. That is what he should focus on. Coming six months will be very important for Abhishek,” Yuvraj told Cricbuzz.
Yuvraj Singh also emphasized that while Abhishek Sharma’s performances in IPL 2024 have been impressive, he needs to convert his starts into big innings to strengthen his case for an India call-up. Despite boasting a phenomenal strike rate, Abhishek’s highest score remains 63.
“His (Abhishek) performance definitely is better. His strike rate has been phenomenal but big scores haven’t come. With this kind of strike rate, it’s important that you get big scores if you want to compete for a spot to play for India. Great strike rates, yes, but there have to be a couple of big knocks to make sure that you are worthwhile to play for India,” Yuvraj said.
“He has the ability to play big shots, the big sixes which he has been hitting are very good, but I think he has to learn to take singles and know how to rotate strike. He has to learn play out the bowlers who are bowling well and target other bowlers. I think work has to be done on that aspect,” he added.
Last Updated on April 27, 2024
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