Shashank Singh vs Ashutosh Sharma - who's the bigger prospect for India's T20 future?
Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma have been two of the top performers for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in IPL 2024. Both uncapped batters have made a name for themselves with their incredible hitting and consistency in the middle-order of the Punjab-based franchise.
Incidentally, both players had to deal with a lot of ups and downs before becoming the famous finishing duo of the Punjab Kings. While Shashank Singh's 'accidental purchase' grabbed headlines immediately after the IPL 2024 Auction, Ashutosh Sharma's battle against depression because of a former coach's behavior came into the limelight after his heroics with the bat this season.
It has been a long time since the Indian fans saw two local finishers produce such consistent performances in the IPL. Thus, it goes without saying that Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma are in the reckoning for a place in the Indian T20I squad in the near future.
Both players can be assets to the Indian T20I team, but here's a brief comparison of who can be the bigger prospect for the national side in the upcoming years.
Shashank Singh vs Ashutosh Sharma - Age factor favors Ashutosh
If the Indian selectors are looking for a long-term solution to India's finishing woes in the shortest format of the game, Ashutosh Sharma has a slight edge over Shashank Singh. Shashank is 32 years old, whereas his teammate is just 25.
Looking at the numbers of the two cricketers in IPL 2024 so far, Shashank has aggregated 263 runs at an average of 65.75 and a strike rate of 182.64. On the other side, Ashutosh has amassed 159 runs in five innings at an average of almost 40 and a strike rate of 189.29.
It is pertinent to note that all the runs scored by Ashutosh and Shashank have come while batting at number four or below for the Punjab Kings this season.
Shashank Singh vs Ashutosh Sharma - Who offers more value to the team?
The Impact Player rule allows Punjab Kings to play more specialist batters, resulting in opportunities for both Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma. However, in international cricket, only 11 players can play in a match, and the team management often looks for more value from the resources available.
Both Shashank and Asutosh are proven match-winners with the bat, but when it comes to bowling skills, Singh has a slight upper hand against Sharma. Singh can bowl both medium pace and off-spin. So far in his T20 career, he has accounted for 15 wickets at an economy rate of 8.18. His best figures are 3/4.
Sharma, on the other side, has not bowled much. He has bowled just 24 deliveries in his T20 career, where he remained wicketless while conceding 26 runs. Hence, in this area, Singh has the lead.
Shashank Singh vs Ashutosh Sharma - Who should debut in the T20I series against Zimbabwe?
India will play a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe immediately after T20 World Cup. The selectors will likely send a second-string squad for that tour, irrespective of what happens at the mega event.
Considering that both Shashank and Asutosh have a lot to offer to Indian cricket, the two players can earn their maiden T20I call-ups on that tour. It is quite difficult to pick who is ahead at the moment as both cricketers bring different things to the table.