Mon Nov 11 02:03:59 UTC 2024: ## Young Indian Star Abhishek Sharma Faces Axing After Poor T20 Series in South Africa
**Durban, South Africa:** While Team India celebrated a resounding 61-run victory against the hosts in the first T20 match of the four-match series, the performance of young batsman Abhishek Sharma has raised concerns. Despite a promising start to his international career, the 24-year-old continues to struggle, and his place in the squad appears to be in jeopardy.
Sharma, who debuted in July, had burst onto the scene with a blistering century against Zimbabwe in just his second T20I, smashing the ton off only 46 balls. However, his form has plummeted since. He has managed only 65 runs in his last six innings, failing to reach double digits in five of them.
Despite his lackluster performance in the subsequent Zimbabwe matches and subsequent omission from the Sri Lanka tour, Sharma was given another chance in the home series against Bangladesh. But he failed to capitalize, scoring a paltry 16, 15, and 4 runs in the three matches.
His poor form has continued in South Africa. He scored a paltry 7 runs in the first T20I, further fueling speculation about his future in the team. In nine T20 Internationals, Sharma has amassed 166 runs in eight innings, with his highest score being the aforementioned century. Excluding that knock, he has only managed 66 runs in the remaining seven innings.
With the Indian team expected to field a strong squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Sharma’s recent performances have left him precariously close to being dropped. The selectors will have to decide whether to give him more time to find his form or bring in a more consistent batsman. The second T20I, scheduled for November 10th, will be crucial for Sharma, who is battling to save his place in the team.
First Piper 