Ahead of India’s crucial ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match against Zimbabwe in Chennai, former Indian batting great Virender Sehwag stirred the selection debate by saying he would have given Abhishek Sharma a break and opted for Sanju Samson instead. Sehwag’s comments came as India face mounting pressure to win the must‑win fixture to keep their semifinal hopes alive after a heavy loss to South Africa and inconsistent batting performances in earlier games.
Abhishek Sharma, one of India’s natural aggressive openers, has struggled for form in the tournament — recording multiple low scores and failing to make a significant impact at the top of the order. Sehwag, speaking on Cricbuzz, emphasised the importance of picking a playing XI based on current form for such a high‑stakes match. He said that in his view, resting the left‑handed Sharma and giving Samson, who has shown better rhythm, a chance could strengthen India’s top order against Zimbabwe.
The call reflects wider conversations among analysts and fans about India’s lineup balance and the need to adapt quickly in a tournament where momentum matters. While the team’s batting coach has expressed confidence in Sharma’s ability to bounce back, Sehwag’s frank suggestions underline the fine line between backing young talent and making tough decisions based on performance under pressure.
