As India gear up to face England in the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal, the spotlight has fallen on opener Abhishek Sharma, whose recent struggles have sparked debate over his place in the playing XI. In six matches, Abhishek has managed just 80 runs at a strike rate of 131.14, raising concerns at a crucial stage of the tournament.
In contrast, Ishan Kishan has impressed with 224 runs in seven games at a blistering strike rate above 185, while Sanju Samson has piled up 143 runs in only three matches, including a match-winning 97 against West Indies.
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Despite the numbers, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has urged the team management to persist with Abhishek unless there are signs that his confidence has taken a hit. Shastri believes decisions should be based on internal assessment during nets and conversations.
He added that only if Abhishek appears mentally unsettled should India consider promoting Ishan to open and bringing in Rinku Singh lower down the order. Shastri also recalled Abhishek’s explosive 135 against England at Wankhede last year, backing him to deliver on the big stage.
