Abhishek Sharma finds himself back in the spotlight after another failure with the bat, this time against West Indies in a virtual knockout at Eden Gardens. With India chasing a stiff 197, the left-hander managed only 10, and his early exit immediately put the innings on the back foot. It has been a stop-start campaign for Abhishek. A stomach infection disrupted his preparation and forced him out of the Namibia game, and he has struggled to find rhythm since returning. In his first four outings of the T20 World Cup, he scraped together just 15 runs, including three ducks, numbers that underline his ongoing battle for consistency on the big stage.
Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for just 10 against West Indies. (AFP)
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There was a brief spark when he struck a fluent 55 off 30 balls in the commanding win over Zimbabwe, hinting at a turnaround. But the promise faded quickly, as another low score in a high-pressure clash reopened questions about his place and reliability at the top.
Former India batter Manoj Tiwary has weighed in on Abhishek's turbulent World Cup campaign, offering a candid assessment of the youngster’s rapid rise and the expectations that now follow him. He further stressed that early stardom alone is not enough at the highest level, insisting that consistency and match-winning impact are what separate promising talents from genuine superstars.
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“He (Abhishek) has already become a star in such a short time, but if he wants to be a superstar, he has to win games for the team. There is so much competition, so many match winners, so he has to be ahead of them," Tiwary said while speaking on Cricbuzz.
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“He (Abhishek) has already become a star in such a short time, but if he wants to be a superstar, he has to win games for the team. There is so much competition, so many match winners, so he has to be ahead of them," Tiwary said while speaking on Cricbuzz.
“It isn’t as if the coach and the team management are unhappy with him and will bench him for the next game. He (Abhishek) has been given that freedom. When you don’t put a price on your wicket, then you will play loose shots like that," Tiwary said.
“Was an off day for Abhishek Sharma”
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Continuing his candid take, Tiwary said the West Indies game was a big opportunity for Abhishek, but it turned into an off day. He also flagged the dropped catches and stressed the need for smarter shot selection under pressure.
“Today, it was a good opportunity for him. Today was an off day for him. He (Abhishek) dropped two catches as well. He has to cultivate the mindset where he has to decide which balls to go for and which not," the former batter added.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
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Home/Cricket/Abhishek Sharma slammed for not putting a 'price on his wicket' after flop show vs WI: ‘He has been given that freedom’
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