‘He Covered for Us All Year’: Suryakumar Yadav Defends Abhishek Sharma Ahead of Super 8 Clash
AHMEDABAD: India captain Suryakumar Yadav issued a staunch defense of under-fire opener Abhishek Sharma on Saturday, calling for patience and team unity as the side prepares for a critical Super 8 encounter against South Africa. Despite Sharma’s difficult start to the tournament, the leadership group remains confident in the left-hander’s explosive potential.
Captain’s Vote of Confidence
Addressing the media during the pre-match press conference, Suryakumar Yadav dismissed concerns regarding Sharma’s lack of runs in the group stage. The opener has struggled to find rhythm since returning to competitive cricket following a brief hospitalization.
“Abhishek Sharma ki form ki jo chinta kar rahe hain, unki chinta mai kar raha hu (I am worried for those who are worried about Abhishek Sharma’s form),” Yadav stated, emphasizing the opener’s value to the team structure.
“He covered for us all year, now it’s our turn to cover for him,” the captain added. The statement highlights the team’s strategy to back their aggressive top-order batters despite short-term fluctuations in scoring.
The Numbers: A Rare Lean Patch
Sharma, known for a formidable T20 strike rate exceeding 192, has endured a statistically anomalous run in the ongoing tournament. He has failed to trouble the scorers in three consecutive outings against the USA, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. The management attributes this dip partially to slow pitch conditions and his recent recovery from illness.
Abhishek Sharma: Tournament Form Guide
| Match Opponent | Runs Scored | Result |
|---|---|---|
| vs USA | 0 | Win |
| vs Pakistan | 0 | Win |
| vs Netherlands | 0 | Win |
While India’s collective bowling and middle-order stability have ensured the team remains unbeaten, the management is keen for the top order to fire as the tournament enters its knockout phase.
Coaching Staff Aligned
Earlier on Friday, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel echoed the captain’s sentiments. Morkel insisted that there was “absolutely no discussion” within the dressing room regarding dropping the young opener.
- On potential changes: “Absolutely no discussion in our team group about that.”
- On Sharma’s quality: “He is a world-class player. We are going to a very important phase of the World Cup now and I am sure he is going to deliver.”
- Training update: “I am pretty sure he is hitting the ball well in the nets. It is just a matter of getting the start and getting the innings going.”
India is set to face South Africa in their opening Super 8 fixture, a match that could define the momentum for the remainder of the campaign.
For official tournament schedules and player statistics, visit the International Cricket Council (ICC) or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).