Former India Selector Urges Abhishek Sharma To Stay Patient Against South Africa

Abhishek Sharma’s barren run has emerged as a key subplot ahead of India’s Super 8 showdown with South Africa, with former India selector Saba Karim urging the young opener to recalibrate rather than panic.

India face South Africa in Ahmedabad on February 22 in a rematch of the 2024 finalists, and while the team has cruised into the Super 8s unbeaten, Abhishek’s form has sparked debate. The left-hander has endured three ducks in the group stage, prompting questions about his approach at the top.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Karim emphasised that patience — not aggression — could be the solution.

“Abhishek Sharma needs to show a little more patience because opposition teams have studied him closely. He has to break that pattern. If he wants to regain form and build long innings, he must prepare for high-quality bowling attacks,” Karim said.

He added that the opener does not need to abandon his natural game but must manage it more smartly. “He’s going through a phase that unsettles many players. It’s a test of temperament. If he allows himself time, plays straight, and avoids chasing a 200-plus strike rate from the first ball, he will be fine. There’s no need to change the approach completely — just tweak it to suit the situation.”

A worrying trend

The numbers reflect the concern. Abhishek has faced just eight deliveries in this T20 World Cup and is yet to open his account. He was dismissed for a duck against the USA, missed the Namibia fixture due to illness, and then fell cheaply against Pakistan and the Netherlands.

In Colombo, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha removed him early, while in Ahmedabad, Netherlands off-spinner Aryan Dutt capitalised on similar technical frailties. Across his last seven T20Is, Abhishek has registered five ducks — the most by an Indian in a single calendar year in the format, despite the year being in its early stages.

The slump is particularly striking given that Abhishek entered the tournament ranked World No. 1 in T20Is and was seen as one of India’s most destructive powerplay batters.

Backed by the dressing room

Despite the scrutiny, India’s team management appears unfazed. Captain Suryakumar Yadav has publicly backed the opener, suggesting the lean patch is a temporary dip rather than a deeper concern.

India’s unbeaten run through the group stage has eased selection pressure, and Abhishek is expected to retain his spot against South Africa. Even Proteas coach Shukri Conrad has resisted portraying him as a weakness to target.

With the Super 8 stage offering little room for error, India will be banking on their explosive opener to rediscover his touch — and perhaps, as Karim suggested, find success through patience before power.