India has qualified for the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. They will take on England at the Wankhede Stadium on March 5, 2026. However, after qualifying for the semi-finals, there has been tension regarding the form of one of the Indian batsmen, Abhishek Sharma. The flamboyant opening batsman has not found his best form in the tournament.
Abhishek Sharma has recently scored a half-century in a big tournament. His aggressive approach has been a disappointment, as he has been out for three consecutive ducks and has struggled to score runs. The No. 1 T20I batsman is under pressure after a disappointing performance so far in the T20 World Cup.
Abhishek Sharma has the support of former India head coach
Ahead of the all-important semi-final clash against England, two former cricketers, Ravi Shastri and Ricky Ponting, are supporting Abhishek Sharma despite his weak condition, as both the former cricketers believe that Abhishek always performs well when it matters most.
Speaking with ICC presenter Sanjana Gunson on the ICC review, the former India head coach said that any decision regarding his place in the playing eleven will be decided by the team management considering the mindset of the batsman.
Ravi Shastri said, “Until the team management realizes it, mentally he is not there. If mentally, his mindset has taken a blow, then it is their job to find that out from the outside, in conversations with him, just by seeing how he is batting in the nets.”
I’ll be with him – Ricky Ponting
Former Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting, who predicted that Abhishek would be the leading run scorer of the tournament, also predicted that the southpaw would be the Player of the Tournament. However, nothing has happened as predicted, although Ponting has agreed with Ravi Shastri that the team management will stick with him in the next game as well.
Ponting said, “Obviously he didn’t score as many runs as any of us expected.” “About a month ago I picked him as the leading run scorer and probably the player of the tournament. That hasn’t happened yet, but I agree with Ravi. I’ll stick with him.”
Abhishek Sharma has scored 80 runs in six matches at an average of 13.33, with a highest score of 55 and a strike rate of 131.14. This entire statement underlines the struggle of the No. 1 batsman in this tournament. However, the team management and head coach have also supported him.
Ravi Shastri has dropped a comment on the change in the batting order as he wants in-form Ishan Kishan, who had a strong performance in the tournament with 224 runs in seven matches, to open the innings in case Abhishek is out.
“If that’s the case, then and only then would I think about keeping Ishan Kishan higher up the order and then maybe bring Rinku Singh lower down the order. That might be the only change, but I would still stick with them because the last time India played against England, they had a great series against them,” Shastri said.
Abhishek Sharma loves playing against England
The last time India played at the Wankhede, Abhishek Sharma returned to the pavilion after being out for a duck on the very first ball against USA. However, before that particular game, in another outing at the Wankhede Stadium, he scored 135 off 54 balls at a strike rate of 250 against the same opponent, whom India met in the semi-finals.
“I wouldn’t take it to Wankhede. He has done well in the past. He has scored some big centuries there and very quick centuries. I will stick with him because he has a lot of firepower in his batting,” Shastri said.
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