Abhishek Sharma’s batting troubles continued in the T20 World Cup on February 18, where he recorded his third consecutive duck. This time, he was dismissed by Netherlands’ off-spinner Aryan Dutt at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Abhishek misjudged a delivery that he tried to hit through mid-wicket. The ball was not short enough, going under his bat and knocking over the stumps.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag noted that the ball was definitely hittable. He sympathized with Abhishek, sharing his own experiences of getting out for zero in successive innings. Sehwag advised that instead of trying big hits right away, Abhishek should take a moment to settle in at the crease.
“It was a ball to be hit, but he missed it. I have been in his shoes, making 2-3 zeroes. Making a comeback is not that difficult; it is about the mindset. It’s about shot selection, where he is making a mistake. The expectations on him are to score immediately, which may lead to errors. He should focus on playing some balls even if he isn’t scoring,” he said on Cricbuzz.
On a different note, former India pacer Mohit Sharma suggested that either Suryakumar Yadav or Tilak Varma should have increased the scoring pace during India’s innings. The Mumbai Indians duo contributed just 30 runs in their 28-ball partnership.
“You cannot maintain the same strike rate all the time. Someone needs to take the initiative in the partnership. That is crucial,” Mohit Sharma commented.
Ultimately, India posted a solid score of 193/6, largely thanks to Shivam Dube’s impressive 66 off 31 balls. The Netherlands managed to score 176/7 in response, with Varun Chakaravarthy taking three important wickets.
Abhishek Sharma’s Ongoing Struggles Highlighted by Dube and Chakaravarthy’s Performances
Abhishek Sharma’s batting issues persisted as he fell to Aryan Dutt once again. Despite this setback, India secured a competitive total of 193/6, with Shivam Dube scoring a rapid 66 off 31 balls. Varun Chakaravarthy stood out with the ball, taking three key wickets to restrict the Netherlands to 176/7.
While Abhishek hopes to regain his form, India’s overall showing kept them in command, leading to another important win.
