The pressure is on for India's Abhishek Sharma, but two legendary figures in cricket, Ravi Shastri and Ricky Ponting, are standing by him. Despite a challenging run at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, these former greats are urging faith in the under-performing batter.
In a recent interview on The ICC Review, Shastri emphasized the importance of considering Abhishek's mental state before making any decisions about his place in the semi-final against England. He believes that unless the team management acknowledges that Abhishek's mindset has taken a hit, they should persist with him.
"It's all about the mental game," Shastri explained. "If he's not in the right headspace, it will show in his performance. We need to give him the support and belief he needs to turn things around."
Abhishek's numbers in the tournament reflect the struggle, with just 80 runs in six matches and an average of 13.33. However, Ponting believes in the batter's attacking instincts and is willing to back him.
"He hasn't lived up to expectations yet," Ponting admitted. "But I still have faith in his ability. I'd stick with him and hope for a turnaround."
Shastri outlined a potential scenario where he might consider a tweak to the batting order, moving Ishan Kishan up the order if Abhishek continues to struggle. Kishan has had an impressive tournament, scoring 224 runs in seven games.
"I'd only make that change if Abhishek's form doesn't improve," Shastri clarified. "But I'd still back him, especially given his past performances against England."
Indeed, Abhishek's previous outing at the Wankhede Stadium was a memorable one, scoring a blistering 135 off just 54 balls against England.
"I won't forget that performance," Shastri said. "He's shown what he's capable of, and I believe he can do it again."
Ponting highlighted the impact Abhishek can have on his day, but also acknowledged India's enviable depth in batting. If Abhishek doesn't fire, India still has a formidable lineup with players like Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, and Hardik Pandya all contributing over 150 runs in the tournament.
"He's a match-winner on his day," Ponting said. "But India has so many match-winners that it's a tough call. I'd keep a close eye on his training and see if a mental reset could unlock his potential."
Ponting suggested that sometimes a break from the nets and a freshen-up period could be beneficial for a batter in a slump.
"It's all about finding the right balance between practice and rest," he explained. "In a high-pressure tournament like this, it's easy to get caught up in the grind. I think Abhishek has something special up his sleeve for the semi-final, and I'd love to see him shine."
As defending champions, India will be aiming to secure their spot in the final when they face England on March 5th at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Will Abhishek rise to the occasion and prove his worth? Only time will tell, but with the support of Shastri and Ponting, he has a fighting chance.
What do you think? Should India persist with Abhishek, or is it time for a change? Let's discuss in the comments and share our thoughts on this intriguing situation!
