‘Hasn’t learned from his dismissals’: Sunil Gavaskar wants Abhishek Sharma dropped for T20 World Cup final

Ahmedabad, 14 November 2026 – As India braces for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium, batting great Sunil Gavaskar has urged the team management to make a hard call on misfiring opener Abhishek Sharma. The 1983 World Cup winner argues that the left-hander’s recurring dismissals in identical fashion have become a liability at the top of the order.

Abhishek, currently the ICC’s top-ranked T20 batter, has managed only 89 runs across seven innings at an underwhelming average of 12.71. Three ducks and four spin-induced exits underline a campaign in which bowlers have repeatedly cramped him for room on or around off stump. His lone respite came via a 50 against Zimbabwe in the Super 8, a knock that papered over what Gavaskar labels “a pattern of mistakes rather than an aberration.”

“It’s a very tough call,” Gavaskar told India Today. “He keeps getting out in the same region where his arms are cramped for room. Bowlers are targeting that area and forcing mistakes. My concern is that he either hasn’t adjusted yet or is unable to change his approach.”

The semi-final against England offered the latest evidence: Abhishek advanced to Will Jacks in the second over, mistimed a forcing shot and departed for 9. Gavaskar believes the moment demands a reshuffle that would see Ishan Kishan open alongside Sanju Samson, while Rinku Singh slots into the middle order. “Rinku has that belief—you’ve probably seen the ‘God’s Plan’ tattoo on his body—and sometimes things just work out for players like him,” he said.

Gavaskar also floated a bowling tweak, suggesting Kuldeep Yadav could replace Varun Chakravarthy, whose confidence has dipped since the Super 8. The off-spinner leaked more than 60 runs in four overs against England, and Gavaskar feels Kuldeep’s wrist-spin could exploit the larger boundaries in Ahmedabad. “Varun’s confidence looks shattered,” he noted. “Kuldeep can turn the ball even on flat surfaces.”

With the trophy on the line, India must now decide whether loyalty to rankings outweighs the urgency of adaptation.