'Abhishek Sharma Not Ready for T20 World Cup': Yuvraj Singh Says SRH Opener Needs 'Six Months' to Make the Leap

Abhishek Sharma has certainly caught everyone’s attention with the rapid starts he’s been providing his IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad which have been the base of their multiple record-breaking shows with the bat this season.

Among the batters who have faced at least 120 deliveries so far in IPL 2024, Abhishek boasts of the best strike-rate of 218.18. In eight innings, he has scored 288 runs including one half-century.

Thanks to his fine form with the bat, Abhishek has squeezed his name into India’s T20 World Cup squad debate considering how dramatically the format has changed with teams now aiming to maximise the Powerplay.

Yuvraj Singh, who has worked closely with Abhishek, feels the youngster is close to his India debut but there’s still six months before he can make the leap and therefore not ready for the world cup which starts right after the IPL.

“Abhishek is almost there but I don’t think he is ready for the World Cup right now,” Yuvraj told Cricbuzz.

“For the World Cup, we have to take an experienced side. Obviously some guys have played for India. After the World Cup, he should be prepared to play for India. That is what he should focus on. Coming six months will be very important for Abhishek,” he added.

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Abhishek’s top-score so far has been 63 in IPL 2024 and Yuvraj feels the 23-year-old needs to play a couple of big innings to prove he deserves India call-up.

“His (Abhishek’s) performance definitely is better. His strike rate has been phenomenal but big scores haven’t come. With this kind of strike rate, it’s important that you get big scores if you want to compete for a spot to play for India. Great strike rates, yes, but there have to be a couple of big knocks to make sure that you are worthwhile to play for India,” he said.

“He has the ability to play big shots, the big sixes which he has been hitting are very good, but I think he has to learn to take singles and know how to rotate strike. He has to learn play out the bowlers who are bowling well and target other bowlers. I think work has to be done on that aspect,” he added.