Real reason behind Abhishek Sharma's Sri Lanka tour snub explained by Salman Butt

Former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt opened up about the absence of Abhishek Sharma from the ongoing T20I series between India and Sri Lanka. He said that it is because of the depth of the team that players like Abhishek and Ruturaj Gaikwad have to sit out.

India National Cricket Team is currently taking on Sri Lanka in the three-match T20 series. The transition in the Indian team has begun after the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and a lot of opportunities have been given to youngsters in the ongoing series.

But one of the notable omissions from the squad for the T20Is against Sri Lanka was Abhishek Sharma. The left-hander, after his sensational performances in domestic cricket and IPL, got an Indian cap during the recently concluded T20I series against the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team, and he made sure he set the stage on fire there.

Abhishek Sharma started his career with a duck, but in the very next match, he slammed a brutal century. He ended the series with 124 runs with the bat and was one of the key performers for the team, helping them win the series. Apart from this, he also picked 2 wickets in the series.

However, despite the consistent performances, Abhishek Sharma didn't get an opportunity in the ongoing Sri Lanka series. This was because other players were given opportunities, and there wasn't a place in the team for the left-hander.

While talking about Abhishek Sharma's snub from the T20Is against Sri Lanka, Salman Butt highlighted that India almost has 2-3 teams now, and the reason behind that has been their proper cricketing structure. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained:

"Look, this is the depth. The bench strength of India. The depth of the players. Ruturaj Gaikwad is not there. KL Rahul is not in this team. Sanju Samson is not in this team. Bumrah is out of this team. He has been given rest. A while ago, it was said that India can have 2-3 teams. They are almost there. Because their pathway cricket is so strong."

"Their A-team calendar is huge. Domestic cricket is ensured, everyone has to play. Players will be made. I think 2-3 teams in the world have become below par. And India have built 2-3 teams strong teams. And if the world still does not understand that this is the only cricketing country which plays only one league."

There is only one team which is constantly growing - Salman Butt

Salman Butt further highlighted how India is producing the highest quality players, and they are the only team that is growing. He added that even Australian cricket is declining. He elaborated:

"If you still do not understand how their players are coming, then what happened to your players? Then only God can explain it to you. It is not a matter of a person's capacity. It is evident in front of you that why India has the highest quality of players coming through. Even Australia does not have similar players.

"Australia is not the same as before. No team is the same as before. There is only one team which is constantly growing. Others have a slow decline. Others have a fast decline. And some are a little steady," he concluded.