Abhishek has managed to score only 89 runs from seven innings in the ongoing T20 World Cup so far.
Heading into the T20 World Cup 2026, Abhishek Sharma was expected to be India's destroyer-in-chief. However, the southpaw has failed to live up to the hype until the semifinal.
While Abhishek failed to open his account in the Group A fixtures against USA, Pakistan and Netherlands, he managed to score 15 off 12 balls in the Super 8 opener against South Africa.
The swashbuckling left-hander showed a glimpse of his brilliance when he made 55 off 30 balls versus Zimbabwe, but registered another low score (10 off 11) in India’s do-or-die Super 8 clash against the West Indies.
Sharma also endured failure in the semifinal against England, scoring 9 off 7 balls before being dismissed.
The defending champions are set to face New Zealand in the all-important final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday (March 8).
Ahead of the title clash, legendary Sunil Gavaskar has suggested the Indian team management to drop Abhishek Sharma and bring Rinku Singh into the playing XI.
"It's a very tough call. Abhishek Sharma is the No. 1 batter in the ICC T20 rankings, but he hasn't learned from his dismissals. He keeps getting out in the same region where his arms are cramped for room. Bowlers are targeting that area and forcing mistakes. My concern is that he either hasn't adjusted yet or is unable to change his approach," Gavaskar told India Today.
"I would like to see Ishan Kishan open the batting with Sanju Samson, with Rinku Singh coming into the side. Rinku has that belief—you've probably seen the 'God's Plan' tattoo on his body—and sometimes things just work out for players like him," he added.
The former India opener also called for a change in the bowling department, urging the team management to replace struggling mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy with left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav for the final.
Chakaravarthy has not been in good form since the Super 8 phase of the tournament, having claimed four scalps in as many matches while conceding runs at an economy rate of over 11. He was taken to the cleaners by England batters in the semifinal, returning with the figures of 1/64 in four overs.
"The other change I would consider is bringing in Kuldeep Yadav. Varun Chakravarthy's confidence looks shattered at the moment. Since the Super Eight stage, when he faced stronger teams, he has struggled and conceded a lot of runs. At a ground like the Narendra Modi Stadium, with big boundaries, Kuldeep Yadav could be a good option because he can turn the ball even on flat surfaces," Gavaskar remarked.