Abhishek Sharma given 'Do or Die' warning in South Africa

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra said that Abhishek Sharma is under significant pressure ahead of the upcoming four-match T20I series against South Africa. Aakash Chopra opined that Abhishek Sharma could lose his spot in the playing XI for the next series if he fails to deliver against South Africa.

Opening batters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill were not included in the T20I squad for the South Africa series as they are preparing for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. However, they may return to the T20I lineup for the England series, set to be played in January next year.

Pressure Will Be On Abhishek Sharma - Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra stated that the T20I series against South Africa is a "do-or-die" situation for Abhishek Sharma. Chopra explained that Abhishek must perform in this series to retain his place, as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill are set to rejoin the squad soon.

"I think India have two or three big questions. The pressure will be on Abhishek Sharma and a little bit on Sanju Samson, although Sanju scored a hundred in the last match. So I am not going to say that there is any pressure on Sanju," he said.

"However, since Yashasvi (Jaiswal) will come and Shubman Gill will come at some stage, you feel you should score a lot of runs whenever you get a chance to open. So it's important for him but it's do or die for Abhishek Sharma because after this when the England T20I series will be played at home, you will definitely be dropped if you don't score runs here," Chopra added.

I Find Him A Very Good Player - Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra noted that Abhishek Sharma hasn't played a noteworthy knock since his century against Zimbabwe. Chopra said that the openers have to make an impact to retain their places in the squad, given the frequent changes in the team.

"I love Abhishek to bits. I find him a very good player. He also scored a hundred in Zimbabwe but after that hundred until now there has been no such performance which you would see and say that Abhishek Sharma will have to be kept," he said.

"It's a volatile situation in Indian cricket. The changes are happening very quickly. The season doesn't change that many times in a day in England, although it changes there many times, but the changes in the Indian team are happening like that. So it's important for the openers," Chopra observed.

Team India Set To Take On South Africa In Four-Match T20I Series

India is set to take on South Africa in a four-match T20I series, with the first T20I in Durban on Friday, November 8. Abhishek is expected to open with Sanju Samson in all T20I matches. The selectors didn't include backup openers in the squad, but adjustments can be made if necessary.

Abhishek made his T20I debut for India vs Zimbabwe in July following an impressive IPL 2024 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad. After a duck in his debut match, he scored 100 runs off 47 balls in the second T20I. Apart from the century, he has a top score of just 16 runs in his other six innings.

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