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Kaif Urges Tough Call on Abhishek Sharma Before T20 World Cup Final

Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif has urged the Indian team management to make a difficult selection decision regarding out-of-form opener Abhishek Sharma ahead of the T20 World Cup final. Kaif highlighted Abhishek's struggle for rhythm, with only 89 runs in seven tournament innings. He presented the debate on social media, noting arguments for persistence and for replacing him with a player like Rinku Singh. The final pits an unbeaten India against a New Zealand side that recovered from early losses to dominate the semi-finals.

Key Points: Kaif: Tough Call Needed on Abhishek Sharma Before T20WC Final

  • Kaif suggests tough selection call
  • Abhishek's form a concern
  • Rinku Singh mentioned as alternative
  • NZ's historic edge vs India
  • India has recent series momentum
2 min read

Team management has to take a tough call on Abhishek Sharma: Mohammad Kaif before T20WC final

Mohammad Kaif says India's team management must decide on out-of-form Abhishek Sharma ahead of the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand.

"Team management has to take a tough call on Abhishek Sharma. - Mohammad Kaif"

New Delhi, March 8

Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif said that the Indian team management must take a "tough" selection decision regarding World No. 1 T20I batter Abhishek Sharma ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on Sunday evening.

Kaif expressed his views on the social media platform X, suggesting that the team management must take a "tough call" on whether to persist with Abhishek despite his recent struggles with form or bring in another option for the high-stakes clash.

With 89 runs in seven innings in this tournament, including a half-century against Zimbabwe, Abhishek Sharma is struggling to find rhythm in the ongoing tournament.

"Team management has to take a tough call on Abhishek Sharma. Some say he should play today since an out-of-form Kohli won the final for India last time. But then Kohli is the king of ICC events. Some say he should be replaced by Rinku, who, like Sanju Samson, can make a grand comeback. DUVIDHA!!!" Mohammad Kaif wrote on X.

Coming to both teams' T20 WC 2026 campaigns, India and New Zealand took different routes to the T20 World Cup 2026 final.

New Zealand recovered from group-stage losses to South Africa and England to dominate the semifinals, chasing down 170 against South Africa with a nine-wicket win in 12.5 overs, highlighted by Finn Allen's 33-ball century--the fastest in T20 World Cup history.

India, unbeaten in the group stage except for a Super 8s loss to South Africa, secured a thrilling seven-run semi-final win over England, after posting 253/7 in the first innings of the match.

While New Zealand have historically never lost to India in T20 World Cups (2007, 2016, 2021), India's recent 4-1 T20I series win over the Blackcaps in India gives the hosts the momentum heading into the final.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
As a neutral cricket fan, this is fascinating. Comparing Abhishek's situation to Kohli's 2022 final is a bit of a stretch. Kohli has decades of pedigree. Sometimes you back class, sometimes you go with current form. India's bench strength is the real winner here.
A
Ananya R
Feel for Abhishek Sharma, he's the No. 1 ranked batter for a reason! One big innings is all it takes. Remember how Pant turned it around in 2021? We should back our players, not drop them before the biggest match. This constant chopping and changing hurts confidence. #BackAbhishek
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Vikram M
The real issue is our obsession with individual players. The team management has all the data. Let them decide. We fans just create unnecessary pressure. Whether it's Abhishek or Rinku, whoever plays will give their 100% for India. Jai Hind!
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Karthik V
With Finn Allen in such destructive form, we need our top order to fire from ball one. If the management feels Abhishek's current rhythm isn't right for that, they must make the change. Rinku can also bowl a bit of handy medium pace, adds to the option. Strategic move needed.
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Priya S
Respectfully, Kaif's "duvidha" post feels like adding fuel to the fire right before the final. These discussions should happen in the dressing room, not on social media. It puts extra pressure on a young player. Hope the team is shielded from this noise.

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