'Abhishek is struggling, Rinku is sitting outside despite doing well' - India legend on Playing XI ahead of T20 World Cup Final

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has opined that India must drop Abhishek Sharma for the playing XI in favour of Rinku Singh for the final of the T20 World Cup on Sunday. The opening batter has been in a poor run of form, scoring just 89 runs in seven innings of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, with just one half-century and three ducks.

Rinku, on the other hand, has been on the bench ever since the game against South Africa in Ahmedabad. Considering Abhishek's inconsistency and a disappointing run, the cricketer-turned-commentator wants the Uttar Pradesh cricketer to be given a nod in the playing XI. Kaif referenced the West Indies' replacement of out-of-form Brandon King for Roston Chase at the top of the order in their game against the Men in Blue.

“India can give Abhishek Sharma a break. He has played a lot of matches now. There is no harm in making changes. You can make changes in the shortest format. Roston Chase opened against India as Brandon King was out of form. They backed him for five or six matches, but they gave him a break for a big match. I believe that, like you brought in Sanju, and he did a great job, so that change worked in your favour, Kaif said on his Youtube channel.

“India have proven players. Rinku Singh scores runs everywhere, be it Ranji Trophy, or the IPL. Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj also take wickets everywhere. When you look in the dugout to see who can replace Abhishek Sharma, you see Rinku Singh sitting there. So, bring him in. A guy is struggling, and another guy is sitting outside despite doing well,” he added.

The former middle-order batter believes that comparing Abhishek with his fellow opener Sanju Samson is disingenuous, with this being the Punjab man’s first ICC tournament, compared to the experienced Samson.

“The biggest difference between Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson is that Abhishek Sharma is still quite new to ICC events. He has a fantastic record, if you leave ICC events aside. There is a big difference in playing an ICC event or a World Cup,” he said. 

“Sanju has scored over 8000 runs in T20s. Be it the runs or six-hitting ability, his name comes in the top 10 in the IPL. He is already an established player. Abhishek Sharma is still young and has to work on his game. He is not a finished product. Don’t compare him with Sanju. Sanju is already a finished product. He made his India debut 11 years ago,” he elaborated.

He also believes that India should stick with spinner Varun Chakravarthy for the final, despite his poor showing in the Super 8 stage and the semifinal.

“I think they might not drop Varun. They would work on him, and he might change his line in the next match,” he concluded.