Former India coach Ravi Shastri feels Abhishek Sharma needs to get some time in the middle after his recent dip in form continued during the Pakistan clash. After being dismissed for a duck in the opening match against USA, Abhishek came into the side after overcoming a stomach bug.
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However, Salman Ali Agh’s trick against the Indian opener went well he was sent off without troubling the shooter a second time runs during the T20 World Cup 2026. The trend continued this year for the southpaw, who made it big or bust in the Indian opener. In the games he has played so far, Abhishek has scored 84, 0, 68*, 0, 30, 0, 0.
As quoted by the ICC, Shastri said he believed Abhishek was in for a big hit but admitted patience would be key in the opening Test.
“I think he is due but he has to take some time,” Shastri Sanjana Ganesan said after India’s triumph over Pakistan.
“These things happen and you can get on the boil, but he has to give himself a bit more time to get back on track.
“Because it’s not difficult for him to convert those dot balls into boundaries and sixes later on.
‘KISHAN BATTING LIKE A DREAM’
While Abhishek failed, he was helped by Ishan Kishan’s impressive innings of 77 off 40 balls. India register a score of 175 to secure the win. Shastri said the wicket-keeper batsman is on a different level at the moment and praised how quickly he was able to assess the conditions.
“He is batting like a dream at the moment,” exclaimed Shastri.
“Striking on that track (Colombo pitch) close to 200 is unreal.
“It was not easy for any batsman, be it Indian or Pakistani, because the ball was stopping and he hit it the way he did and I liked how quickly he assessed the conditions.
Both Abhishek and Kishan will be back in action when India take on the Netherlands in their final group match on February 18.
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Published on:
February 16, 2026