Abhishek Sharma urged to improve his form in SA T20Is: 'Sanju Samson has already taken one spot'

Young Abhishek Sharma has come under scrutiny for his inconsistent performances in the recent T20Is for India. Despite showing promise early in his career with a brilliant century in his second T20I match, the left-handed batter has faltered in subsequent matches. In the ongoing series against South Africa, he struggled with back-to-back single-digit scores of 7 and 4 as he seemed unable to handle short balls from the bowlers. This has raised concerns for both him and the team, as opposition teams have found a way to dismiss him early in his innings.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has criticised Abhishek for his sluggish form and asserted that the youngster has to change his over-aggressive approach to spend more time in the middle and regain confidence.

"You are getting out in the first two overs itself, which means you are going too aggressive too soon. which may have worked in the past, but since it is not working now, give yourself a little time because if this time passes, it won't come back," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Chopra suggested that time is running out for Abhishek as Sanju Samson has already cemented his place as an opener, while Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal will return in the T20I set-up for the next series.

"You will then have to wait for the IPL to be good once again because when the next five-match T20I series happens against England, you will not be opening. Shubman (Gill) and Yashasvi (Jaiswal) would become available then, so how you will get a place to open? Sanju (Samson) has already taken one place. So I am saying that it is now do or die, now or never," Chopra elaborated.

The left-handed Abhishek has been unable to show consistency with the bat, going past the 20-run mark only once in his last nine innings. Apart from his memorable 47-ball century against Zimbabwe in Harare earlier this year, Abhishek has struggled for runs with scores of 0, 10, 14, 16, 15, 4, 7 and 4 in recent outings.

Chopra advised Abhishek to stop avoiding playing pull shots on short balls for time being, which he hasn't mastered yet.

"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.

The former cricketer turned commentator suggested that Abhishek should rather start looking for singles off short deliveries and take some time at the other end.

"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," Chopra added.