Should Abhishek Sharma be dropped for semi-finals?

Abhishek Sharma has not had the best of campaigns with the bat and in the field in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The Indian opener entered the tournament as the top-ranked batter in the shortest format as per the ICC rankings. However, there has been nothing to write home about as far as his performances are concerned in the marquee event.

Abhishek made his international debut during India's tour of Zimbabwe in 2024, which was scheduled right after the previous edition of the T20 World Cup. The southpaw registered a duck on his debut but followed it up with a century in the next game. Since then, Abhishek hasn't looked back, as he has played some blistering knocks to cement his place at the top of the order.

Abhishek had a memorable time with the bat in 2025, as he scored runs for fun against some of the best teams in world cricket. During the Asia Cup in September, he finished as the highest run-getter, amassing 314 runs in seven games at an average of 44.86 and a strike rate of 200. He won the Player of the Tournament award for his consistent performances during the continental competition.

Even in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which preceded the ongoing World Cup, Abhishek had a glorious run, scoring 182 in five innings at an average of 45.50 and a strike rate of 249.32. However, things went downhill all of a sudden once the T20 World Cup commenced.

Abhishek scored 24 off 18 balls before being retired out in the warm-up game against South Africa. When the main tournament began, Abhishek got dismissed on the first ball he faced against the USA. He hit Ali Khan straight to the fielder in the deep. The left-handed batter had hit the ball fiercely but picked out the fielder to perfection.

He missed the game against Namibia, as he was recovering from a stomach bug. The 25-year-old returned to the side for the game against Pakistan but was dismissed by Salman Ali Agha for a four-ball duck. This time, he miscued a pull and was caught at mid-on.

In the following game against the Netherlands, another off-spinner, Aryan Dutt, accounted for his wicket. After blocking two deliveries, Abhishek tried to play a pull shot, but the ball skidded on and made a mess of the stumps.

India made it to the Super 8 after winning their first four games, but the fans were concerned about their premier batter's form. Against South Africa, Abhishek got off the mark, hitting Aiden Markram for a boundary. He hit another four and a glorious six during his 12-ball stay at the crease, which yielded 15 runs. However, Marco Jansen got the better of him with a knuckleball as Abhishek miscued a shot through the leg side, and Corbin Bosch took a fantastic catch.

Abhishek finally showed glimpses of his talent during the game against Zimbabwe. The Amritsar-born hit 55 off 30 balls, belting four fours and four sixes. India won the do-or-die clash, and Abhishek getting back among the runs gave fans huge relief.

However, on Sunday, March 1, Abhishek faltered once again in the virtual quarter-final against the West Indies. He dropped two regulation catches before scoring just 10 off 11 balls. He was out to Akeal Hosein at deep square leg. Once again, it was the pull shot that led to his undoing against a spinner.

Should Abhishek Sharma be dropped for the semi-finals?

Now comes the important question. Should Abhishek be dropped for the semi-final against England? In marquee events, making changes, especially in the business end, is not recommended. Teams like to keep their playing XI settled. However, India will have to assess different factors before thinking about dropping Abhishek.

Sanju Samson played superbly in the clash against the Caribbean side and won the Player of the Match award for his unbeaten 97-run knock. He can open the batting alongside Ishan Kishan if Abhishek has to sit out. Kishan's best performances in the tournament came when he opened the batting.

However, who comes in for Abhishek? Rinku Singh can be an option, but the Uttar Pradesh batter has only managed 24 runs from 29 balls in five innings so far in the tournament. Also, with finishers like Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube being in form, is there a need for Rinku down the order?

Instead, India can continue backing Abhishek at the top because if he gets going at the Wankhede Stadium, the venue for the semi-final, he can cause some real damage, especially against England, who do not have the strongest of bowling attacks in the tournament.