In the semi-final 2 of the T20 World Cup 2026 against England, Team India emerged victorious by seven runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
During the match, Team India`s opening batsman Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for nine runs in seven balls, including two boundaries.
Speaking about his performance, former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin said that he would like to have a conversation with the left-handed batsman and tell him that he doesn`t need to go hard while batting.
“Abhishek batted well against New Zealand in the bilaterals, so I would not be too fussed about him. But I would have this conversation with him, that there is a plan. Please do not try to go hard. I felt it was some headless batting from him. I am his big fan. But his intent was only to score,” he said.
“Sometimes you need to take time. Sanju was batting so well at the other end. Take a single and get away. Your match-up will also come. You will get that one over,” added Ashwin.
Speaking further on the upcoming title clash against New Zealand, the former cricketer remarked that he would have been more concerned had the final been against South Africa.
“India are bleeding in certain places. If this final had been against South Africa, I would be really concerned. But they are taking on New Zealand. The last time these two played in Ahmedabad, New Zealand had almost the same team. I am going to have these conversations. What sort of net sessions are Varun and Abhishek going to have? After this game, how will you give these two confidence? That will be at the top of my list,” concluded the 39-year-old former cricketer.
The final of the T20 World Cup 2026 between Team India and New Zealand is scheduled to be played on March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
T20 World Cup 2026, IND vs NZ: Full Squads
India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma.
New Zealand: James Neesham, Devon Conway (WK), Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Mitchell Santner (C), Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Seifert (WK), Glenn Phillips, Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra.
(With ANI Inputs)
