Home / Sports / Ashwin Backs Struggling Opener for T20 World Cup Final
Ashwin Backs Struggling Opener for T20 World Cup Final
7 Mar
Summary
- Ashwin urged management to retain Abhishek Sharma for the T20 World Cup final.
- Sharma has struggled in the tournament with three ducks and poor shot selection.
- Ashwin stressed focusing on Abhishek's timing and maintaining a good mental space.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has advised the team management to stick with opener Abhishek Sharma for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand. Ashwin acknowledged Sharma's difficult run in the tournament, which includes three ducks and a tendency to play rash shots, as evidenced in the semi-final against England.
Despite these setbacks, Ashwin believes Sharma's proven ability against quality bowling warrants continued backing. He emphasized that the young batter needs to improve his understanding of match situations and avoid forcing aggressive shots, particularly when other players are performing well. Ashwin suggested a conversation with Sharma about his approach and the strategies opponents are employing.
Ashwin also urged head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav to shield Sharma from undue pressure. He stated that Sharma is a naturally timed player and performs best when in a positive mental state. India secured their place in the final by defeating England by seven runs in a high-scoring semi-final match at the Wankhede Stadium.
