Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Abhishek Sharma to come good in the semifinal of the T20 World Cup against England. Sharma hasn’t been at his best in the ongoing T20I showpiece as he has managed only 80 runs in six games.

The Indian opener was dismissed for three consecutive ducks in the group stage however scored 55 runs off 30 balls against Zimbabwe in the Super 8 stage. But, Abhishek was dismissed after scoring only 10 runs off 11 balls against the West Indies.

Earlier in 2025, Abhishek had scored a blistering knock of 135 runs against England at the Wankhede Stadium.

“He has another opportunity here to play the knock of the World Cup, and I am really banking on Abhishek in this game. He has to look to time the ball and hold his shape. His bottom hand was being used extensively in all the dismissals. If he still looks to time the ball, he will be fine. That is all he needs to look to do,” Ashwin said on ‘Ash ki Baat’.

The former off-spinner wants Abhishek to bat with a clear mind as the teams are targeting him on the leg-side.

“Abhishek is getting out by trying to hit on the leg side in all games. Teams are asking him whether he can score on the leg side. They are more than happy to let him do it, and every time, he is getting out. Abhishek is a fluent, flamboyant, and classy offside player. He also knows they are bowling a straight line, and he has to hit on the leg side. Bowlers are asking him that question. In his head, he needs to clear himself and find solutions,” he explained.

India will take on England in the second semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Thursday.