Is Abhishek Sharma Just A Blind Slogger? Mohammad Amir's Statement Reveals Reality

Mohammad Amir called Abhishek Sharma a slogger [Source: AFP]

Abhishek Sharma was India’s undisputed best player before the T20 World Cup started, but that all changed in the last four matches. So far in the World Cup, Abhishek has just racked up 15 runs, and has scored three back-to-back ducks as the Indian opener finds himself in a tricky position ahead of the next match against Zimbabwe.

Abhishek’s T2O game revolves around a high-risk approach, and up until the World Cup, the move paid dividends as he racked up runs for fun against every opposition. However, the last four matches has been nothing short of a nightmare for the Indian batter.

What Mohammad Amir said about Abhishek Sharma

Before the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match on February 15, former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Amir made a bold statement about Abhishek, as he called him a slogger, and stated that the opener should work on his technique.

“Honestly, he’s more of a slogger. His chances of failure are quite high because he’s not technically sound. If you bowl into his body, he’s not difficult to contain. Slow balls will trouble him as well," Amir said on a Talk show.

The Pakistan player received a lot of flak for his comments, but he was eventually proven right as Abhishek departed for successive scores of zero against Pakistan, and the Netherlands.

Also Read: Abhishek Sharma Dropped: Changes India Must Make To Beat Zimbabwe In T20 WC Super 8

In-depth analysis of Mohammad Amir’s slogger word

The statement might have offended the Indian cricket fans, but if in-depth research is conducted, then a statement could be derived that Amir isn’t wrong, and Abhishek’s dismissals in the ongoing World Cup reveal the story.

(Abhishek Sharma in T20 WC)

Match 1 - India vs USA

India took on the USA in their opening match of the T20 World Cup, and all eyes were on Abhishek as he took the strike in the second over. The surface at Wankhede Stadium had juice for the pacers, and instead of observing the pitch behaviour for a couple of balls, the opener stepped down the track on the first delivery that he faced, and was caught at deep cover for a golden duck.

This was the first sign that Abhishek lacked game awareness, as he disrespected the conditions, and paid the price.

Match 2- India vs Pakistan

After the USA game, Abhishek missed the Namibia clash due to illness, but he returned for the Pakistan game. The Men in Green had a gameplan against him as captain Salman Agha came into the attack, and struck in his first over.

He played three dot balls and was unable to rotate the strike as he went hard on the fourth delivery and was caught by the fielder. This wicket proved Amir was technically right about him. Just like the USA game, Abhishek was once again dismissed trying to slog the ball.

Match 3- India vs Netherlands

Abhishek’s next assignment in the World Cup was against the Netherlands, and this was the game where he recorded three successive ducks. However, the Dutch side didn’t get his wicket by fluke. They prepared for him by introducing off-spinner Aryan Dutt in the attack.

The field was tight as Abhishek was once again denied singles. As a result, a frustrated Indian batter played another rash shot and departed for a 3-ball duck. Instead of relying on singles and doubles, he once again went for the glory shot, and the stumps got uprooted.

This match further enhanced Amir as someone who was right about Abhishek from the word go.

Match 4- India vs South Africa

Unlike the previous three matches, Abhishek managed to open his account against the Proteas, but the same old story repeated. The South African bowlers used plenty of cutters, and change up deliveries against Abhishek, and he was also denied easy singles.

He scored 15 off 11, and on the 12th delivery, the batter went for a high-risk shot and was caught by Corbin Bosch. India had already lost Ishan Kishan for a duck, and the situation demanded that Abhishek play sensibly before taking risks. 

This wicket further fuelled the fire that Amir was not wrong when he said the Indian batter is more of a “slogger”, and any easy wicket if proper planning is done.

Final verdict

Mohammad Amir gave a blunt verdict that Abhishek is a slogger, and the statement made a lot of Indian fans uncomfortable. However, judging by how Abhishek has played in the World Cup and how the opponents have found his weaknesses, the statement might actually be true, as the batter is yet to respect the conditions and play accordingly.

Also Read: Shimron Hetmyer Makes Zimbabwe Realise True Cost Of Dropped Catch With Record-Breaking Knock