'Headless batting in semi-final': R Ashwin’s brutal verdict on Abhishek Sharma

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has urged the squad absorption to persist with young opener Abhishek Sharma for the last of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 against New Zealand nationalist cricket squad successful Ahmedabad.

At the aforesaid time, Ashwin did not shy distant from criticising the left-hander’s approach, saying the batter needs to amended recognize lucifer situations.The 25-year-old has struggled to find bushed successful the tournament. Apart from 1 half-century, Abhishek has endured a hard tally with 3 ducks. His troubles continued successful the semi-final against the England cricket team astatine the Wankhede Stadium, wherever helium concisely looked assertive earlier throwing distant his wicket.

Abhishek began confidently by hitting 2 boundaries disconnected Will Jacks successful the 2nd over. However, an attacking intent soon led to his dismissal. Jacks tossed the shot up, tempting the left-hander into a large shot. The effort did not travel disconnected arsenic planned, with the shot flying disconnected the little portion of the bat earlier Phil Salt completed a elemental catch.Notably, this marked the 4th juncture successful the tenth variation of the T20 World Cup that Abhishek had fallen to spin.

Earlier successful the tournament, helium had been dismissed by Salman Ali Agha of Pakistan, Aryan Dutt of the Netherlands and Akeal Hosein.Despite the setbacks, Ashwin believes Abhishek should inactive beryllium backed for the rubric clash. Speaking connected his YouTube transmission Ash Ki Baat, the seasoned spinner said the youngster has proven quality against prime bowling and should not beryllium discarded due to the fact that of a thin patch.“Abhishek Sharma has that factor. In the bid against New Zealand, helium was successful apical form.

He has batted good against Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry successful the past. So I wouldn't beryllium excessively fussed astir Abhishek. But I would similar to person a speech with him. I would archer him, ‘Listen, there’s a program against you.' So don't effort hard to deed the ball,” said Ashwin connected his YouTube transmission ‘Ash Ki Baat’.Ashwin besides pointed retired that Abhishek’s dismissal successful the semi-final came from mediocre decision-making alternatively than deficiency of ability.“In the semi-final against England, I deliberation it was headless batting from him. I americium a large instrumentality of his gameplay. He scored 8 runs against Jacks, but helium intended to people 30 runs against him. Sometimes, you person to permission the ball. Sanju Samson is going truthful good astatine the different end, truthful you conscionable request to instrumentality the azygous and get to the different end. You volition get your tee time,” helium added.The erstwhile spinner further advised India’s enactment group, including caput manager

Gautam Gambhir

and skipper

Suryakumar Yadav

, to guarantee that Abhishek is not burdened with excessive unit up of the final.“Abhishek is simply a damn bully talent, but I conscionable privation to cognize what benignant of conversations are being had with him. Is helium coming nether excessively overmuch pressure? If you springiness him much pressure, past helium volition look to deed the shot harder. He is simply a fluent subordinate who relies connected timing. You person to support him successful bully space, and I volition proceed with him,” said Ashwin.India yet sealed their spot successful the last with a thrilling seven-run triumph implicit England aft defending a formidable 253/7. The contention astatine the Wankhede turned into a run-fest, with some teams combining for astir 500 runs successful a high-scoring semi-final.