Abhishek Sharma's Warning Despite 14-Run Lead: 'You Can Never Write Off West Indies'

At Indore's Holkar Stadium, after posting a mountain of 223, Indian opener Abhishek Sharma's post-match words carried more caution than assurance. Speaking to the media, he said West Indies' batting line-up is capable of turning a match around even from 50 for 5. That belief is precisely what helped India maintain an aggressive mindset through all 40 overs.

On Sunday in Indore, India won the second T20I of the series by 14 runs, but the result remained uncertain until the final over. Chasing 224, the Caribbean side never surrendered. Abhishek admitted the Indian dugout was itself surprised by the way Shamar Springer batted at the death.

In Abhishek's words, 'West Indies is such a team, you can never say that the match has come to us against them.' In the previous match they had seen that in these conditions, any batter can snatch the game away at any moment. So while fielding, Indian players kept reminding each other in the huddle—stay ruthless, do not give a single opening.

The match turned in the Powerplay. India managed only 13 runs off the first 14 balls, while also losing Sanju Samson for a 6-ball 3. Abhishek himself started slowly. But he revealed this was part of the plan. West Indies offspinner Roston Chase bowled the first over, and had been bowling really well in this series. So Abhishek chose to respect him early.

Midway through the third over, the tempo changed. A drive through cover-point for four, followed by two sixes off Chase. A 108-run stand for the second wicket with Ishan Kishan off just 40 balls laid the platform. Kishan made 37 off 18. Abhishek himself scored 69 off 30.

On the small ground, both batted with more fours than sixes. Abhishek clarified this was not intentional. Instead, he emphasised bringing Kishan into his zone quickly. In his words, 'I have to make him laugh, I have to relax him a little.' When Kishan comes in, there is pressure in the first two or three balls. Abhishek's job is to relieve that pressure and let him play his natural game. The two have shared many partnerships including in the IPL, so they understand each other well.

Abhishek's most important remark was tactical rather than emotional—'If they are 50 for 5 as well, they have that capability to turn things around.' This mentality has brought a big shift in India's T20 bowling plans. Even after a good Powerplay, they were unwilling to bowl a single bad ball. Executing plans was the goal, and that is what they did.

India now lead the series 2-0. But Abhishek's warning is relevant not just for this series—it matters in the context of World Cup preparation too. The awareness that West Indian batters can change the game's pace at any moment will remain central to India's T20 planning. You win a match by scoring big, but you keep a series by valuing every single ball till the end.