Ravi Shastri Advocates for Mental Assessment of Abhishek Sharma Ahead of T20 World Cup Semifinal

Former Indian cricket coach Ravi Shastri has urged the team management to evaluate Abhishek Sharma's mental readiness ahead of the T20 World Cup semifinal against England. After a challenging tournament start, including three ducks and a missed match due to food poisoning, Shastri believes that Abhishek's mental state should be a priority in selection decisions. He also suggested potential adjustments to the batting order, emphasizing the importance of past performances against England. Shastri's insights reflect a deep understanding of the pressures athletes face in high-stakes situations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 3, 2026, 17:50 IST

Shastri's Insights on Abhishek Sharma's Performance

Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of the Indian cricket team, emphasized the importance of evaluating star opener Abhishek Sharma's mental state before making decisions about his inclusion in the crucial T20 World Cup semifinal against England. Abhishek has faced challenges during the tournament, which should be considered by the team management.

The journey through major tournaments can be tough, regardless of a player's reputation or past performances. Abhishek's struggles have highlighted this reality, as he began the tournament with three consecutive ducks and missed a match against Namibia due to food poisoning. His first runs came in the Super Eight match against South Africa, where he scored a modest 15 runs off 12 balls. Although he managed to score a half-century against Zimbabwe in a critical match, he faltered again with just 10 runs off 11 balls against the West Indies in a virtual quarterfinal.

'Assess His Mental State': Shastri's Advice

In a recent episode of The ICC Review, Shastri stated that any decision regarding Abhishek's participation in the semifinal should prioritize his mental well-being. He remarked, "The team management must recognize if he is mentally prepared. If his confidence has taken a hit, it is their responsibility to assess this through discussions and by observing his practice sessions."

Possible Changes to the Batting Lineup

Shastri also mentioned that he would only consider altering the batting order if Ishan Kishan, who has performed well with 224 runs in seven matches, were to move up to the opening position. This adjustment would allow for the inclusion of Sanju Samson, providing a more balanced top order.

He noted, "If that scenario arises, I would contemplate promoting Ishan Kishan and potentially bringing Rinku Singh in lower down the order. However, I would still advocate for keeping Abhishek in the lineup due to his previous success against England."

Shastri's Confidence in Abhishek

Shastri recalled Abhishek's impressive performance against England at Wankhede last year, where he scored a remarkable 135 runs off 54 balls, marking the highest T20I score by an Indian. He stated, "Given his past achievements, I would continue to support him. He has a history of scoring quickly and effectively at Wankhede, and I believe there is sufficient strength in the batting lineup to accommodate him."