Overview:
The decision-makers are in a fix regarding Varun Chakravarthy's place, as he has been struggling since the Super 8 stage.
Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has urged the team management to drop Abhishek Sharma from the playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand. He cited the youngster’s inability to address recurring batting mistakes. Abhishek has managed just 89 runs at 12.71, raising concerns ahead of the big clash.
The half-century against Zimbabwe in the Super 8 stage is the only meaningful contribution from Abhishek’s bat. He has been dismissed for a duck three times, with the off-spinners dominating him.
Abhishek has attacked from the outset, resulting in his downfall. In the semi-final, the left-hander was undone by England spinner Will Jacks.
“It’s a tricky decision. Abhishek Sharma is the No.1 batter in T20Is, but he hasn’t worked on his mistakes. He keeps getting out in that same way,” Gavaskar told India Today.
“Bowlers are exploiting that zone and inducing errors. What worries me is that he either hasn’t adapted or is struggling to alter his game,” he added.
Gavaskar wants Rinku Singh to replace Abhishek Sharma, with Ishan Kishan returning to open the innings with Sanju Samson.
“I’d like to see Ishan Kishan open alongside Sanju Samson, with Rinku Singh coming into the playing XI. Rinku has that confidence and you’ve probably noticed his ‘God’s Plan’ tattoo. Sometimes players like him just click,” Gavaskar mentioned.
The decision-makers are in a fix regarding Varun Chakravarthy’s place, as he has been struggling since the Super 8 stage. The wrist-spinner went for over 60 runs in his four-over spell against England in the semi-final.
“The other switch I’d think about is bringing Kuldeep Yadav in. Varun Chakravarthy’s confidence seems low right now. Since the Super 8s, he’s struggled and leaked runs. At a venue like the Narendra Modi Stadium, with its long boundaries, Kuldeep could be a smart pick as he can get turn even on flat tracks,” he concluded.