Ravi Shastri Advocates for Mental Health Considerations in Team Selection Ahead of T20 World Cup Semifinal
Shastri's Insights on Abhishek Sharma's Performance
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 3: Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of the Indian cricket team and a renowned all-rounder, emphasized the importance of assessing star opener Abhishek Sharma's mental state when deciding his inclusion for the crucial T20 World Cup semifinal against England. This comes after a challenging tournament for Sharma, who has struggled to find form.
Shastri noted that major tournaments can be quite challenging, regardless of a player's past achievements or rankings. Abhishek's journey in this tournament has been particularly tough, starting with three consecutive ducks and missing a match against Namibia due to food poisoning. His first runs came during the Super Eight match against South Africa, where he managed a modest 15 runs off 12 balls. Although he scored a half-century against Zimbabwe in a must-win game, he faltered again with just 10 runs off 11 balls against the West Indies in a critical virtual quarterfinal.
During a recent episode of The ICC Review, Shastri stated that any decision regarding Sharma'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 mindset has been affected, it’s crucial for them to assess this through discussions and by observing his practice sessions.”
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 Sanju Samson to rejoin the squad, as Kishan has been batting at number three to balance the left-handed dominance in the top order.
He recalled that during their last encounter against England at Wankhede, Abhishek scored an impressive 135 runs off 54 balls, marking the highest T20I score by an Indian. Shastri concluded, “If that’s the case, I would contemplate promoting Ishan Kishan and possibly bringing in Rinku Singh lower down the order. However, I would still support Abhishek, given his past success against England.”
“I wouldn’t overlook his previous performances at Wankhede. He has a history of scoring quickly and significantly there. I believe in his capabilities, as there is ample strength in our batting lineup,” he added.