Irfan Pathan's Technical Breakdown of Abhishek Sharma's T20 World Cup Struggles
As defending champions India gear up for a crucial Super 8 encounter against South Africa in Ahmedabad, former all-rounder Irfan Pathan has delivered a detailed technical analysis of opener Abhishek Sharma's concerning form slump at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
The Root Cause: Shot Selection Over Technique
Abhishek Sharma, currently ranked as the world's number one T20I batter, has experienced a nightmare tournament with three consecutive ducks, particularly struggling against off-spin bowling. Pathan emphasized that the problem lies not in Sharma's natural technique but in his poor shot selection and approach at the crease.
"Abhishek Sharma is getting out to off-spinners. Against Pakistan and the Netherlands, off-spinners got him. The problem lies in his shot selection," Pathan stated during an analysis session on JioHotstar.
Technical Flaws Identified
Pathan pinpointed specific technical issues contributing to Sharma's struggles:
- High Bat Angle: "His bat comes down from a high angle, and he is not looking to hit straight. He is trying to play across the wicket. That is getting him into trouble."
- Foot Movement Issues: "He moves his front foot away to create room, but bowlers are not giving him room. These are not drivable balls."
- Early Aggression: The former cricketer noted Sharma is attempting to dominate bowlers too early instead of settling into his innings.
Pathan's Advice: Trust Natural Game with Smarter Decisions
Despite identifying these flaws, Pathan cautioned against drastic technical changes at this critical stage of the tournament.
"His bat angle is coming across, which is natural to him. He does not need to change that. If he tries to change it now, it will be a mess," Pathan explained. "First things first, get a single, get off the mark. Expect the spinner to come in, get to the other end, and target the fast bowlers. He does not need to bludgeon from the first ball."
Contrasting Fortunes: Ishan Kishan's Exceptional Form
While analyzing Sharma's struggles, Pathan reserved special praise for fellow opener Ishan Kishan, who has emerged as one of the tournament's standout performers.
"Ishan Kishan is in the form of his life. He is playing the leg side really well. He targets square-leg and fine-leg," Pathan said. "If you give him leg-side deliveries at the start, it's trouble."
However, Pathan issued a tactical warning ahead of the South Africa match, noting: "Against South Africa, I want to see what Kishan does when they bowl wide and make him play on the off-side early. He has improved a lot, but only after getting set."
Strategic Implications for India's Super 8 Campaign
The analysis comes at a critical juncture as India prepares for their high-stakes Super 8 match against South Africa. Sharma's form has become a significant concern for the defending champions, while Kishan's explosive performances have provided crucial stability at the top of the order.
Pathan's insights highlight the delicate balance between maintaining natural batting instincts and making intelligent tactical adjustments under tournament pressure. As India seeks to defend their T20 World Cup title, the performance of their opening partnership could prove decisive in the challenging Super 8 stage.
