Faf du Plessis believes India opener Abhishek Sharma needs to be more strategic with his shot selection in order to counter the techniques used by bowlers against him in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Abhishek began the tournament in blistering form, but after four matches, he has managed only 15 runs, including three consecutive ducks.
Opposing teams have strategically modified their powerplay field placements to target his abilities, frequently stationing both deep fielders on the opposite side to limit his attacking stroke play. Against the USA, he was trapped at deep cover for a first-ball duck. In his most recent match against South Africa, he struggled against slower deliveries, with fielders positioned at deep backward point and deep cover, cutting off his favored scoring locations.
“Tactically, the game has got so smart with analysts and the way that they are trying to get you out. What I’ve picked up of late with Abhishek is people are now putting a deep point out and a deep extra cover out because he’s so good at hitting the ball through the off side,” said Du Plessis as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“So the key is to make sure that when you get to the crease, you’re aware of what the opposition is trying to do. How are they trying to get me out? And then your decision as a batter, am I still sticking to my strengths? Am I trying to whack the ball for six over point, over cover? Or am I trying to bring the risk a little bit down and hit the ball on the ground for one or two, or try to score in a different area? Knowing Abhishek, you’re probably trying to whack it for six over cover because he hits the ball so clean. But that’s the decision you have to make as a batter.”
Faf du Plessis
Faf Du Plessis observed that opposition bowlers constantly target Abhishek with slower deliveries, owing to his broad, appealing swing. He added that bowlers are cleverly disturbing his timing by reducing the velocity of the ball. The former South African captain suggested that Abhishek consider utilizing his feet more, moving down the track and letting the ball to get closer to him before committing to a shot.
“The other thing I’ve picked up is that teams are bowling a lot of slower balls at him, and it’s because he’s got such a beautiful swing. What you’re trying to do with guys that have such a long swing is you’re trying to take pace off the ball. So once again, his decision is, how do I counter guys when they’re bowling it slow?.”
Faf du Plessis
“For me, what I try to do when guys are bowling slower balls at me, I either try to come 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 in front of you. I’m not going to try to talk to Abhishek about batting. You know exactly what to do, but I can see teams are bowling a lot of slower balls at him.”
Faf du Plessis
Du Plessis believes Abhishek Sharma does not require considerable technical assistance and is certain that the opener will play a match-winning innings during the World Cup. He highlighted that the youngster must tune out other distractions and focus on his innate strengths.
“Right now, everyone in the world is talking about [him]. There will be 1000 opinions, 50 coaches. Everyone will want to give their 5 cents to Abhishek and the way he should bat. And it’s a tough place to be if you’re a young guy, 25 years old, in your first World Cup with so many expectations. He has bossed the last year, smashed every bowling attack all over the place.”
Faf du Plessis
“He has been unbelievable the last two-three years in the IPL. He whacks bowling attacks all over the ground. He is the newer generation of T20 cricketer who doesn’t actually have to worry about defence. He has got so many attacking options. The key for him now is, how do you keep the noise out? How do you make sure you focus on your strengths, your game, and keep your mind as clear as possible? Because there’s a lot of noise going on when a player is in this state. I’ve got no doubt, give him a couple more innings, the youngster will come through and he’ll have an amazing innings somewhere in this World Cup.”
Faf du Plessis
