“Yuvraj Will Fix It!” – Irfan Pathan Points Out Abhishek Sharma’s Batting Flaw

Irfan Pathan said Abhishek Sharma needs to control his aggressive batting in powerplays, and Yuvraj Singh will help him work on that weakness.

Abhishek Sharma’s strong form has made him one of India’s T20I stars, earning consecutive Player of the Series awards in the 2025 Asia Cup and the Australia series. However, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes the opener’s aggressive approach needs refinement.

Pathan pointed out that Abhishek relies heavily on front-foot strokeplay during powerplays, which could make him predictable against stronger bowling attacks in major tournaments. He suggested that Abhishek and his mentor Yuvraj Singh should focus on improving shot selection and adaptability to sustain his current form.

“Abhishek Sharma got the Player of the Series award, and he has been playing fearlessly, but we are talking about bilateral series here. Although Asia Cup was a multi-nation series. But teams are well-prepared in World Cups. If Abhishek Sharma steps out and plays every time, teams will start working him out. So, he must pick and choose, and I’m sure team management will be concentrating on this. Even Yuvraj Singh will be focusing on it. I will even speak to Yuvi (laughs),” Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

“Abhishek will also be thinking that he cannot step out to every bowler in every inning. So, planning can be better. In this game, two catches were dropped off his bowling and even if one would’ve been taken, his innings would have ended,” he added.

Pathan then pointed out that bowlers, like Nathan Ellis, have already challenged the Abhishek Sharma with slower deliveries and changes of pace during the powerplay. To counter that, he suggested Abhishek refine his shot selection, timing, and adaptability based on the bowler and conditions.

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“He will play the same way. It’s high-risk cricket, and it has high reward, but sometimes people may think ‘What shot was this?’ But fearless cricket should also have some rationale and planning. I’m sure Abhishek Sharma will be focusing on this. If he is stepping out, which bowler he needs to do it against. Second thing is, Nathan Ellis troubled him; hence, bowlers around the world will bowl to him with variation in the powerplay. Hence, he needs to focus on that, especially the bat flow. If slower ones come with varied pace – because balls can come up to head high, we saw that in Australia. Hence, Abhishek must work on these things,” the former cricketer concluded.