Former cricketer Akash Chopra has issued a strong warning to Indian opener Abhishek Sharma ahead of India’s five-match T20 series against England. With a shift towards new players, Abhishek has been given an opportunity to open the batting. However, Chopra believes that Abhishek must perform consistently or else he could be replaced by other emerging players like Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Chopra expressed concern over Abhishek’s fluctuating form, despite his potential. He recalled Abhishek’s century against Zimbabwe in July 2024, but noted that his performance hasn’t shown sustained improvement since then. Chopra stressed that this upcoming series could be Abhishek’s last chance to prove himself. He added that if Abhishek fails to capitalize on this opportunity, another player might take his spot.
Chopra specifically pointed to the example set by Sanju Samson, who has been consistent in recent matches. He emphasized that Abhishek needs to replicate such performances to retain his position in the team. So far in his T20 career, Abhishek has played 11 innings, scoring 256 runs at a striking rate of 171.81. However, his average of 23.27 has raised concerns, despite the occasional century and fifty.
The former cricketer’s comments highlight the pressure on Abhishek to deliver in the upcoming matches, as Team India looks to build a strong squad for future competitions.