インドがODIでT20I Abhishekのシェアのスーパースターを早めるべき理由

India cricket team might have found their perfect replacement for Rohit Sharma in T20Is in Abhishek Sharma. But the side shouldn’t make the mistake of fast-tracking him to other formats, just like how they have done so with many players in the past. The likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill have done very well across formats for the Men in Blue but it isn’t a proven formula yet for the rest of the stars. And simply for this reason, they shouldn’t try to push the southpaw into formats where isn’t suited to play yet.

Abhishek Sharma not ready for ODIs yet

With Rohit Sharma s future in the ODIs set to end with the conclusion of ICC Champions Trophy, India will indeed be on the lookout for his replacement. Abhishek Sharma, who has been in red-hot form in the recent past, could emerge as an obvious option. But here’s why India should consider treading on that path.

Firstly, India have Jaiswal as an opening option for the 50-over format. The southpaw hasn’t played an ODI yet but has great potential to do so. He has earned his maiden ODI call-up in the Champions Trophy and will act as the reserve opener for India. While both Jaiswal and Sharma are left-handed batters, it would make more sense for the former to stick to the 50-over format simply because he is accustomed to batting in longer formats of the game.

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It is pertinent to point out that Sharma has a better record compared to Jaiswal in List A cricket. The Punjab opener has 2014 runs from 61 domestic 50-over games while Jaiswal has 1511 runs from 32 matches. However, it is Sharma’s record in T20Is which is a differentiator an perhaps makes him more suited for the shortest format of the game than ODIs.

Secondly, the likes of Suryakumar Yadav have faltered in ODIs after being fast-tracked into the 50-over side based on their performances in the shortest format of the game. This should serve as a base for the selectors to think twice before fast-tracking a player to all formats. And besides, Sharma will potentially face a much stiffer competition in the form of Jaiswal, Gill and KL Rahul for the opening position in ODIs. Hence, it would be much better to let him be in T20Is, where he is better off, rather than pushing him in T20Is.

In terms of finding a replacement for Rohit after Champions Trophy, India have the option of going with Gill and Jaiswal. Pushing Abhishek into the scene would only make it more complicated for the team and the management.