There’s Nothing To Worry About Abhishek’s Form: Piyush Chawla
Unbeaten Team India will be keen to finish at the top of the table when they take on Netherlands in their final Group A match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad today. Talking about JioStar’s ‘Game Plan’, JioStar expert Piyush Chawla shared his thoughts on Abhishek Sharma’s form, Captain Suryakumar Yadav’s approach and possible playing XI in the match.
“Honestly there is nothing to worry about because we have seen what Abhishek can do in the last 18 months. He is the kind of batsman who plays with a high risk, high reward approach and you have to have some patience with those types of players. The margin of error against him as a bowler is very, very small. When the ball is right there in the two-metre slot, I think he has the lowest strike rate and I think because when the ball is new the bowlers try to swing it a bit. Otherwise, his strike rate is very high. He uses the long handle by keeping the bat a little bit higher and that’s why he has the reach.” Even when you bowl on a good pitch, the reach is so good that he can still hit the ball out of the park. That’s when a bowler thinks, what did I do wrong?
On Captain Suryakumar Yadav’s change in approach:
“It’s a conscious choice to take some time in the beginning. Just before the New Zealand series, Surya wasn’t scoring runs and people were talking about his form. But in that series, he came back and made sure he didn’t rush, because he’s the kind of batsman who can regain his strike rate at any time. He just bowls once or twice in an over. Even if he bats for 30 to 40 balls, he can still hit 180. He becomes dangerous when you look at the wide range of shots. His front foot goes a long way, from there he can play conventional sweep, work better, and he can bowl for 180 overs.” When he places it more flatly in line with the stumps, he can also hit it through mid-wicket. As a bowler, you prepare for Suryakumar Yadav, if he sweeps, you think you will bowl outside the off stumps. He has a work pace and he creates that pace with his lower hand, so he is one of the toughest batsmen to bowl to.”
About India’s possible starting XI:
“It’s throws for India right now. They’ve gone to Sri Lanka, which is a spinning wicket and a slow surface. So Arshdeep might come back and Kuldeep Yadav will have to make way. There will probably be just one change for this game. Kuldeep unfortunately misses out. He’s a quality bowler. I don’t see any other changes. They’re all quality players in the 15, waiting for their opportunity. Whenever they get the chance, they’re ready to go if necessary, so there’s no need to try.”
On the wicket taking lengths of pacers in Ahmedabad:
“If you look at the slot ball, the pacers have generally taken 11 wickets in Ahmedabad either at the dead or with the new ball. When a pacer bowls the new ball, he tries to pitch the ball up and bowl it. In this case, the batsman may mistime the shot and you get a wicket. Then there are length deliveries, which are effective on any pitch. Whatever the surface, you can take wickets of that length, but give up runs as well. There is bounce in Ahmedabad due to the red soil and sometimes that makes it difficult for the batsman. Four to eight metres.” These two lengths hold the key as Arshdeep, who likes to swing the ball forward, benefits from this length of four metres, especially since he can move the ball in both directions.
