Following a remarkable IPL 2024 season, Abhishek Sharma earned his first international call-up for India’s series against Zimbabwe in July. Since debuting, he has played eight T20Is, amassing a modest 159 runs. Despite some promising starts in the recent Emerging Asia Cup, his performances lacked consistency, leading to questions over his place in the national squad.
With Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal set to miss the upcoming T20I series against South Africa due to their commitment to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Abhishek is likely to open alongside Sanju Samson. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra, analyzing India’s combination, voiced concerns about Abhishek’s impact at the international level, suggesting that the upcoming series could be crucial for his future in the team.
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Aakash Chopra sees this South Africa series as a “make-or-break” opportunity for Abhishek, especially with the return of Gill and Jaiswal expected for India’s next T20I series against England. According to Chopra, unless Abhishek delivers strong performances against South Africa, he may find himself out of contention when the squad reshapes for the England series.
“I think India has a couple of critical questions regarding the top order,” Aakash Chopra noted on his YouTube channel. “The pressure is definitely on Abhishek Sharma, although Sanju Samson is in a more secure spot after his recent hundred. When top players like Jaiswal and Gill are set to come back, someone in Abhishek’s position must capitalize on every opportunity. For him, it’s a do-or-die situation. If he doesn’t score in this series, he’s unlikely to stay in the lineup for England.”
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Abhishek showcased his potential with a century against Zimbabwe earlier this year, but his form has dipped since, managing only 49 runs in his last four innings. For the 24-year-old, this South African series could indeed define his place in India’s T20 setup.
