India’s former assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has defended Abhishek Sharma’s small but brave knock in the T20 World Cup win over the West Indies.
Sharma scored just 10 runs from 11 balls at Eden Gardens. But Nayar said the young opener did the right thing by trying to attack and not holding up the innings.
India were chasing 196 in a must-win game. They reached the target in 19.2 overs with five wickets in hand, thanks to Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97 off 50 balls.
T20 Is About Tempo, Not Just Runs
Nayar said T20 cricket is about scoring quickly and giving the team momentum. If a batter is not able to score freely, it is better to get out and let others take over.
“You generally measure it by how quick a start you give, and how you score more runs off fewer balls. That didn’t happen today, but generally it’s said that if you are unable to score runs, get out because the others will get an opportunity,” Nayar said on Star Sports.
He pointed out the difference between Sharma and West Indies captain Shai Hope. Hope made 32 off 33 balls and batted through the powerplay.
Nayar felt that innings slowed the West Indies down. “Shai Hope played the entire powerplay and then got out,” he said.
Sharma, on the other hand, was 9 off 9 at one stage. Nayar said it was fine that he lost his wicket while trying to increase the scoring rate.
“So when Abhishek Sharma got stuck on nine off nine balls, it’s fine if he gets out. If he had batted more, the others also wouldn’t have gotten a chance,” Nayar explained.
He added that it is very hard to recover in T20 cricket once the run rate drops.
“Yes, he didn’t score runs, but he still batted for the team’s benefit because he tried to take the strike rate and run rate up so that the team would win,” Nayar observed.
India’s successful chase showed the value of that approach. With hitters like Samson and others coming in, India kept the required rate under control.
Now, India will take on England in the second semi-final on March 5 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The team will hope to carry the same fearless mindset into the knockout game.