T20 World Cup 2026: Tiwary, Pathan Question Abhishek Sharma’s Spot Ahead of Semifinal
MUMBAI – Scrutiny regarding India’s opening combination has intensified ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal against England. Former cricketers Manoj Tiwary and Irfan Pathan have publicly criticized opener Abhishek Sharma, citing poor shot selection and technical flaws following India’s Super 8 performance.
India is scheduled to face England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 5. However, concerns persist over Sharma’s lack of consistency at the top of the order throughout the tournament.
Statistical Breakdown: A Tournament of Struggles
Sharma has struggled to convert starts into substantial contributions during the campaign. According to tournament data, the left-handed batter has accumulated only 80 runs across six matches. While he registered a half-century against Zimbabwe, his form plummeted against higher-ranked opposition, including a string of three consecutive ducks against the USA, Pakistan, and the Netherlands.
Abhishek Sharma: T20 World Cup 2026 Form Guide
| Opponent | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | 50+ | (Not Specified) | Fifty |
| USA | 0 | (Low) | Duck |
| Pakistan | 0 | (Low) | Duck |
| Netherlands | 0 | (Low) | Duck |
| South Africa | 15 | 12 | Dismissed |
| West Indies (Super 8) | 10 | 11 | Dismissed |
In the recent must-win Super 8 fixture against the West Indies, Sharma scored 10 runs off 11 balls and dropped two catches in the field, further aggravating concerns regarding his overall contribution.
Tiwary Criticizes “Loose” Approach
Former India batsman Manoj Tiwary, speaking on Cricbuzz, argued that Sharma has failed to value his wicket appropriately given the high stakes of international cricket.
“When you don’t put a price on your wicket, then you will play loose shots like that,” Tiwary stated. He emphasized that while Sharma has gained popularity rapidly through franchise leagues like the IPL, transitioning to international dominance requires a shift in mentality.
- On Star Status: “Abhishek has already become a star in such a short time, but if he wants to be a superstar, he has to win games for the team.”
- On Competition: “There is so much competition, so many match winners, so he has to be ahead of them.”
- On Match Awareness: “He has to cultivate the mindset where he has to decide which balls to go for and which not.”
Pathan Identifies Technical Flaws
Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan utilized his platform to analyze Sharma’s batting mechanics, specifically noting balance issues during the dismissal against the West Indies. Pathan observed that Sharma’s weight transfer was detrimental to his shot execution.
“After scoring that fifty, it felt like he would continue making runs, but when he went for that shot, his back knee was bent too much, and his body weight was falling backwards,” Pathan explained on his YouTube channel.
Pathan suggested that for Sharma to succeed on the surfaces used in this tournament, he must adjust his stance. “Ideally, more weight should have been on the front foot, as that suits him better. He will need to pay attention to that,” Pathan added.
Semifinal Implications
The management faces a difficult decision regarding the opening slot as India prepares for the semifinal in Mumbai. The team requires a solid foundation against England’s formidable bowling attack. Fans can track official updates on the BCCI official website or the ICC Tournament Hub.