Abhishek Sharma has been sorted out by opponents: Kris Srikkanth

Abhishek Sharma, who rose to the top of the ICC T20I rankings for batters for the first time in July last year, has struggled of late in international cricket. He had a mediocre outing in the T20 World Cup earlier this year and despite an impressive Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign, where he scored close to 600 runs at an average of 40.21 and a strike rate of 204.73, his performances in subsequent international matches have left a lot to be desired.

Former India opener Kris Srikkanth opined that Abhishek's weakness has been identified by opposition teams in international cricket. The cricketer-turned-expert believes that the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has to take a tough call against him and bring Sanju Samson back in the playing XI.

"Abhishek Sharma has been sorted out (by opponents) in international cricket, right from the World Cup. I think a tough call has to be taken against him now. I feel Sanju will get his chance again now. He will receive a call back 100%. The selectors will have to take a tough call," he said in a video on his YouTube channel.

Samson, who played an instrumental role in India's triumph at the T20 World Cup earlier this year, lost his place in the side to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during the T20I series against England. However, after three consecutive failures for the 15-year-old, the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter was brought back for the final game of the five-match series. Samson played an enterprising cameo, scoring 27 off 14 balls at The Rose Bowl in Southampton.

During the England tour, Abhishek played all five games and scored just 131 runs at an average of 26.20. While Samson was "rested" for the subsequent tour of Zimbabwe, Abhishek played all three games but registered scores of 1, 8, and 2.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, however, has done his reputation no wrong, having amassed two half-centuries in three games against Zimbabwe and winning the Player of the Series award.