Will Abhishek Sharma be dropped from Playing XI for final?
The whispers of discontent surrounding Abhishek Sharma have reached a crescendo following another failure in the semi-final, casting a shadow over India’s preparations for Sunday’s T20 World Cup final against New Zealand. With the Narendra Modi Stadium set to host the tournament’s climax, the primary talking point remains whether the team will stick with their misfiring opener or finally pull the trigger on a personnel change. Given Sharma’s recent string of low scores and the high stakes of a World Championship final, the pressure on the selection committee has reached a breaking point, leaving many to wonder if a tactical reshuffle is inevitable.
Despite a run of scores including three consecutive ducks and a combined total of just 89 runs across the tournament, the team management has reportedly decided to keep faith in Abhishek and will name him in the Playing XI. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav are understood to be prioritising "tactical continuity" over individual form as they prepare for the showdown. By choosing to include the embattled left-hander, India is betting on his explosive potential to return at the perfect moment, refusing to dismantle a winning combination that has carried them to the cusp of global glory.
Also read: ‘Pathetic, overconfident, a walking wicket...’: Abhishek Sharma brutally trolled
A tale of two openers
The tournament has provided a stark reversal of roles for India’s opening pair. Sanju Samson, who entered the competition under heavy scrutiny, has emerged as the batting lynchpin, scoring a blistering 89 in the semi-final victory over England following his heroics against the Windies. Conversely, Sharma—initially tipped to be the breakout star—has looked increasingly isolated at the crease.
The left-hander’s struggles have been exacerbated by a mid-tournament hospitalisation for a stomach infection, which left him visibly drained. However, tactical vulnerabilities have also been exposed; rival captains have successfully stifled his aggressive style by introducing off-spin early. Sharma has frequently fallen while attempting to manufacture pace against slow bowlers, a pattern that England’s Will Jacks exploited in Mumbai.
Technical hurdles
Analysts have noted a technical glitch in Sharma’s downswing, which often appears too rapid for surfaces where the ball is holding. This lack of late adjustment has seen him commit early to attacking strokes, resulting in a series of mistimed dismissals.
While the inclusion of Rinku Singh has been mooted, such a change would likely force a chaotic reshuffle of a settled middle order. For now, India seem prepared to gamble on Sharma’s explosive potential, hoping the grandest stage of all will finally spark his dormant form. (With inputs from Agencies)