India opener Abhishek Sharma has come under scrutiny after his single-digit score in the first T20I against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban.

Following his breakthrough IPL 2024 season for SRH, Abhishek earned his maiden India call-up for the T20I tour of Zimbabwe in July this year. The southpaw announced his arrival to international cricket by smashing a dazzling century in just his second T20I appearance against Zimbabwe in Harare.

Since then, Abhishek has failed to play a single knock of any substance. In fact, his T20I numbers paint a sorry picture of inconsistency – 166 runs in 8 innings at an average of 20.75.

However, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa is not too concerned about Abhishek's inconsistency at the top of the order.

According to Uthappa, Abhishek should get a Virender Sehwag-like license from early 2000s where he was told to enjoy himself in the middle.

"I won’t look for too much consistency with someone like him. I would like to leave him as free as possible, like a Virender Sehwag perhaps in the early 2000s, where people were like ‘just go and enjoy yourself’," Uthappa told Jio Cinema.

Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for just 7 off 8 balls in the T20I series opener against South Africa, which led to fans questioning his place in the Indian team.

Uthappa defended Abhishek, suggesting that the left-hander has a defined role which is to attack the bowlers right from the word go.

"Because if it comes, it’s a match-winning hundred or 80, if he gets a quick start, he is still serving the purpose towards the team. So the role is defined. I wouldn’t worry too much about consistency when it comes to Abhishek," Uthappa remarked.

With three more games remaining the series, the pressure will be on the 24-year-old Abhishek to justify his place in the squad.

The second T20I is slated to take place in Gqeberha on Sunday (November 10).