Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has downplayed Abhishek Sharma’s hype for the 2026 T20 World Cup and made daring predictions for Suryakumar Yadav as India is scheduled to face America within the event opener on February 7 in Mumbai.
Abhishek Sharma has taken T20 cricket by storm along with his fearless batting, however Moeen Ali feels India’s largest hope for the 2026 T20 World Cup stays captain Suryakumar Yadav. The Punjabi youth has loved a dream run in T20I cricket over the past yr.
Moeen Ali downplays Abhishek Sharma hype, backs Suryakumar Yadav as India’s key to 2026 T20 World Cup
He’s at present on the high of the ICC T20I batting rankings and has already scored 1,297 runs in simply 38 matches for India. His numbers clearly present how harmful he’s as he scores rapidly and places strain on the bowler from the primary ball.
Your every day cricket consumption!
Additionally Learn: Will Sanju Samson not be dropped? Suryakumar Yadav declares Ishan Kishan’s batting place in T20 World Cup
Regardless of this unbelievable rise, Moeen believes Abhishek is just not the participant India will depend on utterly for the 2026 T20 World Cup and mentioned Suryakumar is the important thing face of India’s marketing campaign given his expertise, composure and particular potential to vary matches in only a few overs.
Suryakumar Yadav went by a troublesome interval in T20 cricket in 2024-25, however he discovered his rhythm once more within the current house collection towards New Zealand.
Moeen Ali reveals make Abhishek Sharma nervous
“Abhishek Sharma did not come out of nowhere. He has achieved very effectively in the previous few years. However I do not suppose he’s the central determine for India. He is essential however I feel Surya is the central determine. He’s unbelievable and he’s again in kind,” Moeen Ali mentioned on the Beard Earlier than Wicket YouTube channel.
The previous England all-rounder added, “Having mentioned that, Abhishek is an excellent participant who hits clear from the primary ball. However the group has to provide you with a greater plan for him. You’ll be able to’t have regular emotions in the direction of him. Normally you’ve two on the break up area or leg aspect. However in his case, I feel there will probably be two on the off aspect, like a large third man and a deep cowl.”
Particularly for the reason that upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup will probably be his first World Cup, his proactive method will probably be key for India.
Additionally Learn: ‘Left-right mixture is overrated’: Suryakumar Yadav overtly denies Gautam Gambhir’s T20 idea
Adil Rashid highlights the dangers of Abhishek Sharma’s fearless type
In the meantime, England leg-spinner Adil Rashid additionally feels that Abhishek’s behavior of attacking exhausting from the primary ball may assist his opponents if he’s dismissed early. His wicket may push India into the center order a lot sooner than deliberate and will put them underneath strain.
Adil Rashid mentioned: “He is like Phil Salt, he assaults from the primary pitch. He is batting very well and even when he will get hit early, he’ll come again exhausting within the subsequent innings. He is necessary as a result of he offers them begin.”
But additionally, as an opponent, he comes exhausting, so if we are able to get him early, we are able to get into their mid-table very early after which we expect issues will change rapidly. When you discover a good plan, he provides you with an opportunity. ”
