In the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Indian opener Abhishek Sharma has faced a series of disappointing performances that have significantly impacted the team's chances in the tournament. He has been dismissed for zero runs in three consecutive group stage matches, and in the Super 8 match against South Africa, he managed only 15 runs off 12 balls. This lack of scoring contributed to India's substantial defeat to South Africa by 76 runs, dampening the team's hopes of advancing to the semi-finals.

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has publicly expressed his views regarding Abhishek's performance, asserting that he should be rested for the crucial upcoming match against Zimbabwe at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. Sehwag highlighted that Sharma's ongoing struggles, compounded by health issues, have led to an overall disappointing outing at this tournament. Despite these challenges, the team's management has continued to support Abhishek, hoping he would regain his form and resolve the top-order batting issues that have surfaced.

Sehwag's suggestion raises questions about the team's strategy moving forward, particularly regarding player selection and performance management in high-stakes matches. As the team grapples with the implications of Abhishek's current form on their tournament prospects, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if the management will heed Sehwag's advice in favor of bringing in Sanju Samson to strengthen the batting lineup. This decision could be pivotal for India as they seek a turnaround in their World Cup campaign.