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Robin Uthappa believes that Abhishek Sharma should be given more flexibility to play at the top of the order in Twenty20 international cricket because it is unreasonable to expect him to be consistent. The former cricket player for India compared Abhishek Sharma to early 2000s Virender Sehwag, stating that impact rather than consistency should be used to gauge the young player's performance.
With his opening pairing with Travis Head for SunRisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League 2024, Abhishek Sharma turned attention towards him. At an incredible strike rate of 204.21, the Punjab opener amassed 484 runs in 16 games, hitting 36 boundaries and 42 sixes over the season. Abhishek was recognized for his fearlessness, particularly during the powerplays, while playing fearless cricket.
Following the stunning IPL season, Abhishek made his T20I debut. In just 47 balls during his second Twenty20 International in Zimbabwe, he reached the century mark. Abhishek has not scored more than 20 runs in any of his other seven T20I cricket innings, though. Abhishek has frequently been sent off early while attempting to take powerful shots during the powerplay. In October, Abhishek scored 16, 15, and 4 against Bangladesh at home.
Abhishek was out for 7 off 8 deliveries on Friday, falling to Gerald Coetzee in his opening over. Aiden Markram caught Abhishek as he attempted to gather a boundary and clear the 30-yard circle.
Uthappa on Abhishek
"I won’t look for too much consistency with someone like him. I would like to leave him as free as possible, like a Virender Sehwag perhaps in the early 2000s, where people were like ‘just go and enjoy yourself’. Because if it comes, it’s a match-winning hundred or 80, if he gets a quick start, he is still serving the purpose towards the team. So the role is defined. I wouldn’t worry too much about consistency when it comes to Abhishek," Uthappa told Sports 18 ahead of the T20I series opener in Durban.
Abhishek attempted to play one too many shots in the powerplay, which led to a poor conclusion to his stay in the opening match of the four-match T20I series.
Uthappa supported Abhishek, stating that the days when the left-handed opener starts aggressively will be advantageous to the Indian batting order.
"The boy can play, I mean I think the two of them at the top -- him and Head set the whole IPL alight with their batting. I mean I think they rubbed off on each other nicely as well. So I think the key is to give him the confidence to just go out there and play the way that he wants to play. I agree that that's when he is most dangerous. You know, he's not the type of guy who's going be consistent, but when he does come off, he's going win you a match," said Uthappas
"think he plays a massive role in getting the momentum on India's side as well. And the rest of the batting line and it's a long batting lineup that can just feed off that momentum. We have seen what happens when a Suryakumar comes in and the runs are on the board," he added.
