Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis believes that Abhishek Sharma should change his game plan in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Abhishek Sharma came into the tournament in explosive form. But after four matches, he has managed only 15 runs, including three zeroes.
Bowlers have got a clear plan for Abhishek Sharma
Faf du Plessis has told that teams are no longer blindly bowling to the Indian opener. He was out on the very first ball, caught at deep cover against the USA, and then the South African bowlers kept mixing the slower balls, and he looked confused and struggled to time the ball.
“Tactically, the game has become very smart with the analysts and the way they are trying to get you out. What I have learned recently with Abhishek is that people are now putting deep point out and deep extra cover out because he is very good at hitting the ball through the off side,” Du Plessis said on ESPNcricinfo timeout.
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Faf du Plessis’ simple advice to struggling Abhishek Sharma
Du Plessis suggested the Indian opener to first understand what the other team is planning against him when he walks into the field and see where the teams have placed the fielders. He then asked Abhishek to think about how he wanted to bowl him out and then ask himself a question: ‘Should I still play my natural attacking shots, or should I play a little safer?’
The former Proteas captain further explained that Abhishek Sharma likes to hit big sixes over cover and point as he hits the ball very cleanly. This is his strength. But if fielders are present, he should not always go for the big shots, as Du Plessis suggested, to avoid attacking blindly.
He wants Abhishek to hit the ball on the ground, take a single or a double and play in a different area, giving him orders to use his brain. “You’re probably trying to hit a six over cover because he hits the ball very cleanly. But that’s the decision you have to make as a batsman,” Du Plessis said.
Slow balls are becoming a big problem
Abhishek has a long and powerful swing and that is his strength, but now the bowlers are using it against him. By reducing ball speed, they are forcing him to play quicker, resulting in foul shots and easy catches. Therefore, Du Plessis feels this is where Abhishek needs to be smarter.
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“Either you try to get down the wicket because you want to generate pace to hit the ball, or you try to hang back and set for that slower ball so that your hands are never out in front of you,” he said.
Faf du Plessis backs Abhishek Sharma, predicts big innings in T20 World Cup 2026
Faf du Plessis believes that Abhishek Sharma does not need much advice. He believes that Abhishek is a very talented player and predicted that the Indian opener will play “an amazing innings” in the T20 World Cup 2026. He also criticized the massive noise made about Abhishek’s struggle.
The South African star pointed out that cricket experts, fans and former players are all giving different opinions and this puts pressure on the 25-year-old, who is playing his first World Cup. Du Plessis said the main thing for Abhishek is to stay calm, ignore outside noise and trust his game and focus on his strengths.
He signed off by saying, “The important thing for him now is how do you keep the noise out? How do you make sure you focus on your strengths and your game and keep your mind as clear as possible? Because there is a lot of noise when a player is in this position. I have no doubt about that; give him a few more innings, the youngster will come, and he will have an amazing innings in this World Cup.”