Abhishek Sharma below par in WI T20I series, says Aakash Chopra
Synopsis
Aakash Chopra's defence of Abhishek Sharma cuts to the core of a real T20 debate: can you demand consistency from a batter who plays at a strike rate of 200? Chopra says no — and argues that judging Abhishek by his Afghanistan heroics is itself the misconception India's cricket commentary needs to drop.
Key Takeaways
Aakash Chopra said Abhishek Sharma was 'a bit below par by his standards' in the T20I series against the West Indies .
India and the West Indies shared the five-match T20I series 2-2 .
Chopra argued that inconsistency is inevitable for a batter operating at a strike rate of around 200 .
Abhishek had scored a century and a 70 against Afghanistan in his previous series, but Chopra cautioned against using those as a permanent benchmark.
Chopra made the remarks in an interview on JioStar .
Former India opener Aakash Chopra has brushed aside concerns surrounding Abhishek Sharma's underwhelming returns in the recently concluded T20I series against the West Indies, arguing that inconsistency is an inherent feature of ultra-aggressive batting. India and the West Indies shared the five-match series 2-2, with Abhishek's campaign drawing scrutiny given the standards he has set in recent months.
Chopra's Assessment of Abhishek's Campaign
Chopra acknowledged that the left-handed opener fell short of his own high bar during the series, but urged caution against over-reading a brief run of matches. Speaking on JioStar, he noted that Abhishek's rhythm deserted him particularly in the final game.
'In the last game, when he didn't get many strikes, he looked a bit scratchy. He didn't get any rhythm at all, and let's discount whatever happened in this game. So, he was a bit below par by his standards in the series, but that is also going to happen,' Chopra said.
The Reality of Playing at a Strike Rate of 200
Chopra placed Abhishek's dip in form within the broader context of the brand of cricket the youngster plays. A batter who routinely operates at a strike rate of around 200 cannot realistically be expected to deliver substantial scores in every outing, he argued.
'Anyone who plays at a strike rate of 200 is bound to have a few games like these. That he will keep getting runs consistently — that is our misconception,' Chopra added.
Afghanistan Series as Context, Not Benchmark
Chopra drew a sharp contrast between Abhishek's recent series to underline how quickly fortunes can shift. The opener had made a significant impression against Afghanistan, registering a century in one game and a 70 in another. However, Chopra cautioned that those numbers should not become a permanent yardstick for the young batter.
'There might be a series, like the one against Afghanistan recently, where he scored a hundred in one game and a 70 in another, but then there will be another series where he would have a soft dismissal in one game, then another soft dismissal, play one good innings, and then get dismissed by a good delivery in another. These things are going to happen,' he explained.
What This Means for Abhishek's India Future
Notably, the shared series result means India's T20I setup faces questions heading into their next assignment, and Abhishek's place at the top of the order is likely to come under the spotlight. Chopra's defence, however, reflects a broader consensus among former players that aggressive openers must be given room to fail before their true worth is judged. With the ICC Men's T20 World Cup cycle gathering momentum, how the team management responds to Abhishek's lean patch will be closely watched.
Point of View
Aggressive openers will keep being cycled in and out before they can mature into match-winners.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Aakash Chopra say about Abhishek Sharma's T20I series against the West Indies?
Aakash Chopra said Abhishek Sharma was 'a bit below par by his standards' in the series against the West Indies, but defended the youngster by arguing that inconsistency is an unavoidable reality for any batter who plays at a strike rate of around 200. He urged against drawing firm conclusions from a limited sample.
What was the result of the India vs West Indies T20I series?
India and the West Indies drew the five-match T20I series 2-2. The result meant neither side claimed an outright series win.
How had Abhishek Sharma performed before the West Indies series?
Abhishek Sharma had been in strong form against Afghanistan, scoring a century in one match and a 70 in another. Chopra noted those performances should not become the default benchmark for every subsequent series.
Why does Aakash Chopra say fans should not expect consistent runs from Abhishek Sharma?
Chopra argued that any batter operating at a strike rate of around 200 is inherently more vulnerable to lean patches. He said it is a 'misconception' to expect such a player to score consistently in every series, calling it an unavoidable trade-off of the aggressive batting style.
Where did Aakash Chopra make these comments?
Aakash Chopra made the remarks in an interview on JioStar, reflecting on Abhishek Sharma's returns after the conclusion of the India-West Indies T20I series.
