New Delhi, March 20 (NationPress) Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers asserts that Indian batsman Abhishek Sharma has entered a crucial phase in his career where he is expected to assume greater responsibility and navigate pressure more effectively, particularly following his inconsistent performance during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Abhishek, who faced challenges in accumulating runs during India's victorious World Cup journey, has been appointed as the vice-captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 19th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), set to kick off on March 28.

“He’s 25, no longer 20. This is certainly the time for him to embrace more responsibility. Media scrutiny and public expectations for consistency will increase. Although he had a decent showing in the final, his overall performance in the T20 World Cup was underwhelming at times,” De Villiers commented on JioHotstar.

De Villiers emphasized that while Abhishek has demonstrated his potential, the next step involves achieving maturity and consistency. He highlighted that as expectations rise, managing them mentally will be crucial for success in IPL 2026.

“He had an outstanding IPL 2025, boasting a strike rate near 200 and averaging in the 30s, which is commendable for an opener with over 400 runs in the tournament, but there’s room for improvement. Again, the theme of consistency arises. It’s a personal hurdle he must confront mentally,” he added.

“Being recognized as the top international T20I batter carries significant expectations, which can be quite daunting. It’s essential for him to tackle these mental challenges throughout the upcoming season,” de Villiers noted.

Furthermore, De Villiers advised Abhishek to adopt a more strategic approach in reading match situations rather than always opting for aggression. He stressed the importance of adjusting to challenging bowlers and having faith in his game plan, which could enhance his consistency.

“The key to his success and the sustainability of his career relies on his ability to comprehend and respect different match-ups. For instance, when facing a bowler like Bumrah in critical moments, he must decide whether to attack or play conservatively. It’s vital to recognize threats and not rush into decisions. Taking a moment to reassess can be crucial,” De Villiers explained.

“He must understand that sometimes, a bowler will be on point. This is where he needs to be smart and trust his game plan. He should refine his blueprint that has served him well over the years, believe in it steadfastly, and adhere to it,” he concluded.

Abhishek is set to open the innings for SRH alongside Australian star Travis Head when they take on the defending champions RCB in the season opener on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.