Sunil Gavaskar Calls for Tough Decisions Ahead of T20 World Cup Final
Gavaskar's Concerns Over Abhishek Sharma's Performance
Sunil Gavaskar, the former Indian cricket star and now commentator, has urged head coach Gautam Gambhir to reconsider Abhishek Sharma's position in the playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2026 Final against New Zealand, scheduled for March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Sharma has struggled to meet expectations leading up to this crucial match, having faced difficulties in finding his form. The left-handed opener, known for his aggressive batting style, had a disappointing start to his first T20 World Cup, recording three consecutive ducks during the group stage, followed by modest scores of 10 and 15 in the Super 8 matches against South Africa and the West Indies.
His standout performance came against Zimbabwe in the Super 8, where he scored 55 runs off 30 balls. However, in the semifinal against England, he managed only nine runs, continuing his poor run in the tournament.
Gavaskar's Advice to the Team Management
As India prepares for the title match against New Zealand, Gavaskar has recommended that the team management consider dropping Sharma from the lineup.
During a discussion on a news channel, he pointed out that Sharma has repeatedly fallen victim to similar dismissals throughout the tournament, indicating a lack of learning from his mistakes.
"It's a difficult decision. Although Abhishek Sharma is currently the top-ranked batter in the ICC T20 rankings, he hasn't adapted his game. He continues to get out in the same manner, where he struggles for space," Gavaskar remarked.
He expressed concern that bowlers are exploiting this weakness, leading to Sharma's ongoing struggles.
Potential Changes to the Lineup
In addition to suggesting Sharma's removal, Gavaskar proposed that Ishan Kishan be promoted to open the batting alongside Sanju Samson, with Rinku Singh being brought into the squad.
He also recommended replacing Varun Chakravarthy with Kuldeep Yadav, citing Chakravarthy's recent dip in form during the Super 8 stage.
"I believe Ishan Kishan should open with Sanju Samson, and Rinku Singh should be included. Rinku has a certain confidence that can be beneficial," Gavaskar noted.
He further added, "Considering the conditions at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Kuldeep Yadav could be a valuable asset due to his ability to turn the ball even on flat pitches."
Chakravarthy's Performance Under Scrutiny
Despite being the leading wicket-taker for Team India with 13 wickets, Varun Chakravarthy has faced criticism for his high economy rate, having conceded 248 runs in 28 overs, averaging 8.85 in the tournament.
In the semifinal against England, he had a particularly poor outing, giving away 64 runs in four overs, marking the most expensive spell by an Indian bowler in T20 World Cup history.
It remains uncertain whether Gambhir and the team management will implement changes to the playing XI for the final against New Zealand.