Former India opener Virender Sehwag has made strong comments about current Team India opener Abhishek Sharma, who has been struggling to score runs since the start of the T20 World Cup 2026. Before India’s match win against Zimbabwe on 26 February, Sehwag suggested that the Indian team management rest Sharma.
Abhishek Sharma is one of the well-known batsmen of T20 World Cup 2026, who is preparing hard to let the bad phase go by. He may be performing well in the net sessions, but the ground reality is different. Should India continue with off-colour openers? The question remains.
Team India kept faith in Abhishek Sharma
After suffering a 76-run defeat against South Africa in Ahmedabad on February 22, the Indian national cricket team will look to win the match against Zimbabwe today. Sharma came to face South Africa after achieving a hat-trick of ducks. Against the United States, arch-rivals Pakistan and the Netherlands, the Punjab-born player was out without scoring a single run.
Despite his continued poor form, the team led by Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav did not want to leave the explosive opener on the bench, giving him chances in the tournament.
I would have tried Sanju Samson instead: Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag said that the team should now send Sharma to rest for the Chennai match, as they have Sanju Samson as a backup option.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Sehwag said, “If I was there, I would give Abhishek Sharma a break and try Sanju Samson in his place. This is the only match where you can try, because if India lose this game, they will be out.”
Citing the importance of the match, the former cricketer urged the team management to name their best playing combination against Zimbabwe. Since Abhishek Sharma is in absolutely terrible shape, the veteran has suggested giving him a break.
“Since it is such an important match, India will have to choose its best playing XI based on form,” Sehwag said.
Team India’s batting coach hopes to see Abhishek Sharma soon
Will India bench Sharma in a very important match? Before the match, the team’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak explained why he should support the batsman. Kotak said Sharma looked promising in the last game against South Africa, where he scored 15 runs. He is hopeful that the budding opener will be back in action soon.
Sitanshu Kotak said ahead of the India vs Zimbabwe match, “Abhishek looked good in the last game; there is no point in thinking too much about any one individual. It puts a lot of pressure on him… Once he starts hitting the ball again, you will see the same Abhishek again.”
He further told the media, “There is no doubt about it. Now, in this game, no one can guarantee that he will do it in the next match. But I think he is not far away.”
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