"It seems like he is a prisoner of his own reputation" - Aakash Chopra on Abhishek Sharma failing again in IND vs SA 2024 1st T20I
Aakash Chopra has noted that Abhishek Sharma endured another failure in the first T20I between India and South Africa in Kingsmead, Durban. He opined that the opener's ultra-aggressive approach is potentially the cause of his downfall.
Abhishek managed seven runs off eight deliveries as India set South Africa a 203-run target after being asked to bat first on Friday, November 8. The Men in Blue then bowled the Proteas out for 141 to register a 61-run win and take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener pointed out that Sanju Samson, who scored a 50-ball 107 on Friday, and Abhishek have had contrasting returns lately. He attributed the left-handed opener's underwhelming performances to his consistent belligerent approach.
"It's a tale of two openers. There is Sanju (Samson), whose stars are shining bright, on one side. On the other side is Abhishek Sharma, whose stars have fallen. When he had struck a century against Zimbabwe, he was that shining new bright star," he said (6:25).
"However, after that, he has fallen drastically. The shot he played in this match as well against Gerald Coetzee, it seems like he is a prisoner of his own reputation, that he would play like this only and is not going to wait," Chopra added.
Abhishek struck a four during his seven-run knock. He was brilliantly caught at mid-off by Aiden Markram off Gerald Coetzee's bowling while attempting a big hit.
"Questions will be asked about how long will you stick with him" - Aakash Chopra on Abhishek Sharma
![Abhishek Sharma hasn't played a substantial knock in his last six T20I innings. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/34399-17311253328481-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra acknowledged that Abhishek Sharma will likely continue to open in the remaining three T20Is against South Africa. However, he added that his place in the team will be questioned if he doesn't fire soon.
"It's been one more failure. A time will come when it will be a problem. Questions will be asked about how long will you stick with him. Again, he will get three more games, but one by one the sand is being seen slipping from his hand," he said (7:00).
Abhishek smashed 100 runs off 47 deliveries against Zimbabwe in just his second T20I. However, the 24-year-old has a top score of 16 in his other seven T20I innings. He needs to play more substantial knocks to keep his place in the team.