Aakash Chopra praises Abhishek Sharmas strong contribution in the batting department of the Pat Cumminsled side as they prepare to face off against SunRisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024 Qualifier 1 taking place in Ahmedabad on Tuesday May 21.
With 17 points from 14 games, SRH placed second in the league phase. Despite having the same points as the Rajasthan Royals (RR), they edged off Sanju Samson and company for a Qualifier 1 spot based on net run rate.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Chopra stated that Abhishek has been a staple in the SRH batting department and predicted that the kid will play for India soon.
“Abhishek Sharma is the shining star. If we focus on the last match against Punjab as well, they lost a wicket off the first ball, Travis Head, but it doesn’t matter to Abhishek Sharma that what has happened at the other end. He comes and plays in a fearless and carefree manner. Sharma ji’s son will be playing for India within 45 days.”
Aakash Chopra
The former India batsman believes the left-handed opener would be critical for SRH in Tuesday’s match.
“I feel Abhishek Sharma will open for India on the Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka tours. He plays extremely well and will have to play even better in this match because you will get Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy in the opposition. Spin might be introduced early because of Travis Head. So you will have to get an Indian batter to neutralize spin – that’s Abhishek Sharma.”
Aakash Chopra
Abhishek is SRH’s second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2024, with 467 runs and an impressive strike rate of 209.41 in 13 innings. Only his opening partner, Travis Head (533) has scored more runs for the team this season.
“He scored runs here in the World Cup final and defeated us very badly” – Aakash Chopra on SRH’s Travis Head
Travis Head, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Rahul Tripathi have also scored for the Hyderabad franchise, according to Aakash Chopra.
“Travis Head likes this pitch. He scored runs here in the World Cup final and defeated us very badly. Bowlers try to bowl towards his body to dismiss him but he is explosive. Nitish Reddy is in very good form. So he is doing well. The No. 3 batter seemed to be a weakness but Rahul Tripathi played well in the last match.”
Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator stated that the aforementioned hitters and Heinrich Klaasen must fire for SRH’s lower-middle order to deliver the closing touches.
“So that change is better and then Heinrich Klaasen. This team’s batting is very dependent on these four or five batters. After that, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed and Pat Cummins – all of them are able to do the job if four of the top five play 15 overs.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra remarked that the IPL 2016 champions’ bowling team is respectable but not outstanding, and pushed them to use Mayank Markande instead of Vijayakanth Viyaskanth. He added that they may also play Marco Jansen, noting that the increased bounce from the Ahmedabad surface would benefit the lanky seamer.