New Delhi: Former India captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has admitted that he was taken aback by Abhishek Sharma’s defensive shot during India’s thumping win over Zimbabwe at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, not by a six or an audacious knock.
Push boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!
Abhishek had a tough time after recovering from a stomach ailment, but he bounced back to form with a flowing 30-ball 55 in India’s 72-run win on Thursday. The knock ended a worrying run of three games in a row and came at a crucial moment in the Championship.
“We know how good Abhishek Sharma is as a batsman. He silenced the doubters with his 55 against Zimbabwe,” Gavaskar said on JioStar.
However, it wasn’t just the base running that particularly caught the legendary batsman’s attention, but also the approach to hitting the ball.
“He took extra time to start his innings. He had a way with his batting. He respected the off-spinners, took no risks and bowled with calmness and composure,” Gavaskar observed.
Then came his most surprising moment.
“In this game, he actually took a defensive shot. He defended the ball. I was surprised to see that because we don’t usually see Abhishek do that,” Gavaskar added, underscoring how rare such restraint is in a naturally aggressive start.
For Gavaskar, these innings not only marked a return to form but also growth.
“I really think it’s a learning curve for him. Every cricketer goes through a tough period of not scoring runs in back-to-back games. It depends on how much you learn from it,” he said. “I feel Abhishek has learned a lot and that bodes well for him going forward in the next few games and the all-important match against West Indies in Kolkata.”
Gavaskar also reflected on India’s tactical changes after their disappointing match against South Africa.
“India were beaten against South Africa. They realized they needed a left-right combination. It is important to learn from the last game,” he pointed out, praising the decision to bring back Sanju Samson in the starting XI.
Looking ahead to the virtual knockout series against West Indies, Gavaskar warned that India cannot afford to be complacent.
“West Indies are a completely different challenge. They cannot be taken for granted. Their batsmen are at their best. Their bowlers are doing a good job. They punish their opponents’ mistakes,” he warned.
