“I will speak to Yuvi” – Former Indian all-rounder picks a weakness in Abhishek Sharma’s batting after AUS vs IND 2025 T20I series
Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has highlighted a weakness in Abhishek Sharma’s approach following India’s T20I series victory against Australia. Pathan opined that the left-hander cannot step out to every bowler early in the innings and cheekily said he will speak to Abhishek’s coach, Yuvraj Singh, about it.
Abhishek Sharma, currently the No. 1-ranked T20I batter, has honed his skills by working with Yuvraj over the years. The southpaw boasts impressive numbers in T20Is, aggregating 1,012 runs in 29 matches at a strike rate of 189.51, including two centuries. Nevertheless, he struggled with timing against the Australians, who effectively limited his hitting areas.
Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel ‘Irfan Pathan,’ the 41-year-old said Abhishek must hold himself back from stepping out regularly, as it could make him predictable to opposition bowlers. He called for better planning from the youngster, stating:
“Abhishek Sharma got the Player of the Series award and he has been playing fearlessly, but we are talking about a bilateral series here. Although the Asia Cup was a multi-nation series, teams are much better prepared in World Cups. If Abhishek Sharma steps out and plays every time, teams will start working him out. So, he must pick and choose, and I’m sure team management will be concentrating on this. Even Yuvraj Singh will be focusing on it. I will even speak to Yuvi (laughs).”
He added, “Abhishek will also be thinking that he cannot step out to every bowler in every innings, so planning can be better. In this game, two catches were dropped off his bowling, and even if one had been taken, his innings would have ended.”
Pathan further highlighted that teams will likely introduce more variations against Abhishek moving forward, especially since Nathan Ellis troubled him with such tactics during the series.
“He will play the same way. It’s high-risk cricket with high rewards, but sometimes people may think, ‘What shot was that?’ Fearless cricket should also have some rationale and planning. I’m sure Abhishek Sharma will be focusing on this. If he is stepping out, he needs to decide against which bowler to do it. Additionally, Nathan Ellis troubled him; hence, bowlers worldwide will bowl to him with variations in the powerplay. He needs to focus on that, especially the bat flow. If slower balls come with varied pace, because the ball can come up to head height—we saw that in Australia—Abhishek must work on these aspects,” he explained.
**Shubman Gill’s Performance Praised**
Pathan also opined that Shubman Gill found his feet in the last two matches of the series. He noted that Gill looked well in control during the fifth T20I in Brisbane. The former all-rounder declared that timing is Gill’s template and expressed hope that the young batsman sticks to it.
“Shubman Gill’s innings in the last two matches have also been a big positive. I mentioned Gill in my previous video about how timing is the best template for him. Everyone talks about his strike rate, but his innings at Gold Coast contributed to a winning cause. That’s what we want—players who play according to the conditions. That is Shubman Gill. He left behind Abhishek Sharma in strike rate in Brisbane. India’s score was above 50, and if Gill’s strike rate is above 200 while Abhishek was slightly struggling—even with two catches dropped off him—Gill looked well in control. When you have the confidence to score runs and receive backing, results show. The only hope is that Gill maintains this template. Timing is the template,” Pathan concluded.
Gill was the second-highest run-getter of the T20I series, managing 132 runs in five innings at an average of 44. Although he consumed 39 balls for his 46 runs in the fourth T20I against Australia, the innings ultimately helped India secure victory.
**Irfan Pathan on Indian Team’s Experiments Ahead of T20 World Cup**
With the T20 World Cup scheduled to take place next year in India and Sri Lanka, Pathan emphasized the need for India to have four quality bowlers, especially considering weather conditions such as dew.
He said in the same video:
“Overall, one thing is certain, given how this series has gone. This Indian team needs plenty of options in all-rounders, which they have. There are plenty of experiments going on, which is right. Until the next series, they are okay. But it may stop in the series against New Zealand, which is before the World Cup because you don’t want to experiment in the World Cup. I just have one advice for the team—that options in all-rounders are a must. It is important, but ensure you also have four quality bowlers in the World Cup.”
He continued, “The reason is having high-quality and wicket-taking bowlers is crucial if dew comes. If there is a flat wicket and the opposition is chasing, you still need four high-quality bowlers. If the ball becomes wet, having top-quality bowlers is still crucial. I’m sure the Indian team will weigh this, but overall, it’s going in the right direction.”
Notably, Suryakumar Yadav is yet to lose a T20I series since taking over as Indian captain from Rohit Sharma.
—
*Follow IPL Auction 2025 Live Updates, News & Bidding at Sportskeeda for the fastest coverage of the Mega Auction and cricket-related news.*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-i-will-speak-yuvi-former-indian-all-rounder-picks-weakness-abhishek-sharma-s-batting-aus-vs-ind-2025-t20i-series
You may also like
Leave a Reply