I am worried for all those who are worried about Abhishek’s form: Skipper Suryakumar Yadav

(Photo Credit :

Indian cricketer Abhishek Sharma (AFP Photo)

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India captain Suryakumar Yadav struck a cheeky yet pointed tone when asked about Abhishek Sharma’s hat-trick of ducks ahead of Sunday’s T20 World Cup clash against South Africa.

“About Abhishek’s form, I worry for the people who are worried about Abhishek’s form. I worry about them. Why are they so worried about Abhishek’s form?” Surya, the protective skipper, who walks the talk when it comes to team ethos “All For one and One For All”, said, dismissing the query like his customary ‘Supla’ shot.

“Last year, Abhishek covered for all of us. Now it is our duty to cover for him,” said Surya, with an obvious reference to his own wretched form that continued for the last year.” For the world’s No 1 ranked T20 batter, Abhishek, the skipper was ready to go that extra mile for what all his junior teammates achieved in the one-year run-up to the World Cup.

“But I think about those teams that are going to play against him. That he has not yet scored a run. You know the rest of the answers. When he scores a run, you have seen what happens. It happens, it’s a team sport, it keeps going on.” Abhishek has been dismissed byan off-spinner in successive games trying to slog and the skipper is least bothered about the type of bowling that’s getting him out or the manner of dismissal.

While the inevitable question around Abhishek’s form surfaced, Surya made it clear that the team’s focus is not on the numbers but on intent. For the India skipper, the key is simple: Abhishek must continue playing his natural attacking game, come what may.

“Our team requires a certain kind of game from Abhishek and he is trying to play in that manner. We never want him to lose his identity. If his method doesn’t work, we are there to cover for him,” Surya said.

The left-hander has struggled early in the tournament, but the dressing room appears unwilling to curb his aggressive approach.

“Whether they put off-spinners or left-arm spinners, we have played so much cricket, I think everyone is well equipped. You won’t get a rough patch even if an off-spinner bowls in the first two overs. We play franchise cricket and domestic cricket. In that, off-spinners also bowl with the new ball so many times to the left-handers.” The skipper said that it is imperative to have one’s own game plan.

“Everyone has their own game plan of how to play and who to play. At that time, if the team has a requirement to play shots and make runs, then we will make runs against off-spinners also. But as I said, everyone has their own game plan.”