That is the stage that Abhishek Sharma finds himself at present in his career. This has made him climb to another level of the ladder because being rated as the number one in T20Is has put him in a new line of focus where each performance is scrutinized exceptionally and expectations are raised like never before.
Former cricketer AB de Villiers is of the opinion that this phase is not really about technique but rather attitude. He says that those who are even at the highest level already possess the capability; the difference lies in how they handle pressure, criticism, and their time-performance.
This fact is demonstrated in the recent trip of Abhishek. He has displayed a flash of brilliance, particularly in big moments, but he has not been able to sustain that degree over whole tournaments. He had occasions when he appeared to be unstoppable and other times when he could not make a difference.
Anil Kumble too remarked that responsibility is inevitable at this point. Abhishek is no longer considered as a developing player at the age of 25. It is expected of him to be consistent in delivering, and with it, constant attention by both fans and media.
His main problem at the current stage is to reconcile his instinctive attacking style and stability. He has the strength in aggressive batting, now what he has to learn is to maintain the same style of batting in the different matches without losing the same consistency.
The future IPL season will be a book of its own. It will not only be a test of his batting, but also his temperament; the way he would manage the expectations, pressure or the requirement to perform regularly.
Provided that Abhishek Sharma is able to maintain a stable and mentally steady mind, this stage might turn him into a prospective game-changer in T20 cricket as well as a reliable match-winner.