Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has emphasised that opening batsman Abhishek Sharma should be considered for Test cricket, expressing concerns about whether Indian Premier League (IPL) owners and state associations are prioritising the longest format in players’ development.
Raina, who played 18 Test matches and was a key figure in India’s white-ball teams, made his comments on former Indian opener Aakash Chopra’s YouTube channel.
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He stated, “I feel Abhishek Sharma should play Test cricket. Vaibhav is very young. Does he want to play? What do his coaches think? These are questions. I feel he should play. Are the IPL owners and associations also thinking of this and putting Test cricket in players’ minds? Coaches also have a role here.”
Abhishek Sharma has a respectable record in red-ball
Abhishek Sharma has a respectable record in red-ball cricket, having scored 1,071 runs in 24 matches and 37 innings at an average of 30.60, with a strike rate of 70.46. His achievements include one century and five half-centuries. Additionally, he has taken 20 wickets in red-ball games, averaging over 49 with best bowling figures of 4 for 136.
Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, meanwhile, has impressive white-ball credentials but a less notable red-ball record. In 10 first-class matches and 15 innings, he has accumulated 347 runs at an average of 23.13 and a strike rate of 96.38, including two half-centuries and a highest score of 93. His scores of 92 and 40 for East Zone against Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy semifinal notably enhanced his statistics.
Representing India Under-19 in red-ball cricket, Vaibhav has scored 331 runs in six Test matches and 10 innings at an average of 33.10 and a strike rate exceeding 136, which includes two centuries and one half-century.
Source: thenewsmill.com
