Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has opined that he would put Ishan Kishan in the opening slot for the World Cup semifinal against England. Kishan has been batting at one drop since Sanju Samson returned to the playing XI.
Samson scored a majestic knock of 97 runs off just 50 balls in the virtual quarterfinal against the West Indies. On the other hand, Kishan has scored 224 runs in seven matches of the ongoing T20I showpiece at an average of 32 and a strike rate of 185.12.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma has struggled with his form in the World Cup as he has managed only 80 runs in six games so far.
Ravi Shastri said on ICC Review, “Unless the team management realises that, mentally he’s not there. If mentally, his mindset has taken a beating, it’s for them to judge from the outside, in conversations with him, just seeing the way he’s batting in the nets.
“If that’s the case, then and only then will I think of putting Ishan Kishan up the order, and then probably Rinku Singh bringing him, at the bottom. That could be the only change, but I would still persist with him because last time India played England, he had a terrific series against them.”
Shastri said he would back Abhishek Sharma in the XI as the left-hander had scored a brilliant knock of 135 runs against England at the Wankhede in 2025.
“I won’t take that away at the Wankhede. He’s done well in the past. He’s got some big hundreds there and very quick hundreds. I’ll persist with him because there’s enough firepower in that batting.”
On the other hand, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting backed Abhishek Sharma to deliver the goods against England.
“I think Abhishek’s got something up his sleeve for the semi-final. He’s obviously not made the runs that any of us expected. I had him down as the leading run scorer and possibly the player of the tournament going back about a month ago. That hasn’t happened yet, but I would agree with Ravi. I would stick with him
Ponting said Abhishek is an absolute match-winner on his day and added Rinku Singh is also a match-winner if India decides to alter their playing XI.
“We know on his day, he’s an out-and-out match-winner. But that’s the hard thing with this Indian side as well. And if you were to leave him out and you bring Rinku in, then you’ve got another match-winner coming into your side as well.”
India will take on England in the second semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Thursday.
