Unless Abhishek Sharma’s confidence is completely broken..why did Ravi Shastri give such a statement?

New Delhi. The Indian cricket team recovered from the setback against South Africa and made it to the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup. Australia’s legendary batsman Ricky Ponting had described Abhishek Sharma as the highest run scorer in the tournament. But the performance after six matches was disappointing. India is preparing to face England in the semi-finals and Abhishek’s poor form has become a big concern for the defending champions.

Abhishek has scored only 80 runs in six innings, his strike rate has been 131.14, out of which 55 runs came only against Zimbabwe. At the same time, in most of the matches of the tournament, his opening partner Ishan Kishan has scored 224 runs in seven matches, his strike rate has been 185.12. Sanju Samson has played only three matches, but he has scored 143 runs, his strike rate has been 195.89, which includes 97 runs in an important match against West Indies.

Now that the tournament is at its crucial juncture, the question is arising whether India should take the big decision of sitting out world number-1 T20 batsman Abhishek Sharma?

Former Team India coach Ravi Shastri believes that until Abhishek’s confidence is completely broken, he should be played as an opener. Shastri said in the ICC review, “Unless the team management feels that he is not mentally prepared or his confidence is shaken, I will keep him in the team. It is for the team management to take a decision after talking to him and seeing him in the nets.”

He suggested that if this happens then Ishan Kishan should be made to open and Rinku Singh should be brought back in the team. Shastri said, “If it is so, then only I will think of sending Ishan Kishan up and bringing Rinku Singh down. I will still go with Abhishek, because the last time India played against England, it played a great series.”

Shastri recalled Abhishek’s record-breaking innings when he scored 135 runs against England at the Wankhede Stadium last February, the highest individual score for India in T20. Shastri said, “I can’t forget that innings. He has scored many quick centuries there. I will go with him because there is a lot of power in this batting lineup.”