“Even the fearlessness has…”: Irfan Pathan warns Abhishek Sharma on risky batting mindset

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Abhishek Sharma has emerged as a promising talent in Indian cricket, known for his fearless and attacking batting style. As a left-handed opener, he often starts his innings aggressively, putting bowlers under immediate pressure. This approach earned him the Player of the Series award in the recent India-Australia T20I series, where he scored 163 runs at an impressive strike rate of 176.34. However, despite his initial success, cricket experts, including a former India all-rounder have advised caution.

Irfan Pathan points out that while fearlessness is valuable, it must be tempered with rationality and strategic planning. Abhishek’s tendency to step out against every bowler early in his innings has been noticed by opponents, especially Australia, who effectively curtailed his scoring to some extent using bowlers like Nathan Ellis with varying pace. This indicates that top international teams may develop targeted strategies to exploit his aggressive style during major tournaments like the World Cup, where preparation is more intense and bowlers adapt quickly.

Former all-rounder highlighted these concerns on his YouTube channel, emphasizing that Abhishek must learn to “pick and choose” when to unleash his aggression. He stressed that continuing to step out on every ball could lead to predictability, allowing teams to plan and counter his moves more effectively.

“Abhishek plays fearless cricket, which is very good, but most of these are bilateral series, not World Cup. Teams come with a lot of preparation at the global event. If he steps out on every ball, teams will work on it. So, Abhishek has to pick and choose,” Pathan said.

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Pathan even joked about discussing this aspect with Abhishek’s coach, Yuvraj Singh, underlining the importance of incorporating smarter, adaptable tactics without losing the essence of his attacking game. While Abhishek’s aggressive style brings high rewards, it also involves high risks, as exemplified in the rain-affected fifth T20I where he survived only due to two dropped catches. Pathan’s advice underscores the need for a balanced approach, combining fearlessness with calculated shot selection and better innings management to sustain success at the highest level.

“I am sure the team management must be paying attention to it. His own coach Yuvraj Singh will be looking into it. I will talk to Yuvi about it later. And Abhishek himself must also have noticed that. You cannot step out to hit every bowler on the first ball of an innings,” Pathan concluded.

Abhishek’s batting technique is a blend of power, timing, and fluidity, which makes him a potent force in T20 cricket. His quick hands and ability to delay commitment allow him to adapt to varying ball paces, making his natural style a significant asset. Yet, as opposition teams analyze his tendencies, he faces the challenge of evolving his game to remain unpredictable. Experts suggest incorporating more discerning shot selection, possibly staying deeper in the crease at times, varying scoring areas, and adding layers to his innings plan. This shift would help Abhishek tackle diverse bowling attacks that employ variations, such as pace changes and strategic field placements.

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