Former India coach Ravi Shastri thinks Abhishek Sharma just needs to be patient at the crease after his recent struggle with form continued against Pakistan. Abhishek had been out for a duck in India’s opener against the USA and returned to the side after recovering from a stomach bug.
But Salman Ali Agha’s clever plan worked, and Abhishek was dismissed without scoring again in the T20 World Cup 2026. This year, the Indian opener has had a rollercoaster run – it’s either a big score or a quick out. His scores so far read: 84, 0, 68*, 0, 30, 0, 0.
Speaking to the ICC, Shastri said he believes Abhishek is ready for a big innings but stressed that patience will be crucial for him at the top of the order.
“I think he’s due, but he just has to give himself a little bit of time,” Shastri told Sanjana Ganesan after India’s triumph over Pakistan.”Such things happen and you can go off the boil, but he’s just got to give himself a little more time until he gets back on track.”Because for him to convert those dot balls later on into boundaries and sixes, is not difficult.”
Kishan’s Batting a Pure Delight
While Abhishek Sharma struggled, Ishan Kishan starred with a brilliant 77 off 40 balls, helping India post 175 and take the win. Ravi Shastri said Kishan is playing at a whole new level right now and praised how quickly he adapted to the conditions.
“He’s batting like a dream at the moment,” Shastri exclaimed. “Striking on that track (Colombo pitch) at close to 200 is unreal. Every batter didn’t find it easy, whether it was Indian or Pakistani, because the ball was stopping and for him to strike the way he did, and what I liked was how quickly he assessed the conditions.”
Abhishek and Kishan will play again when India take on the Netherlands in their last group match on February 18.
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