Former India player Sunil Gavaskar has applauded Team India openers Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. While defending the left-handed batting combination, he also stated that the two players help India do well inside the powerplay by putting pressure on the opposition captain as well.
Speaking to Sports Tak’s YouTube channel on Thursday (February 5), Gavaskar said: “If Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma were to open, then both are left-handed opening batters. But in my opinion, if both left-handers start smashing six, then what would the opposition captain do? The way these two batters dominate the first six overs, they put their grip on the game.”
“If Sanju Samson had good form, he would be the first-choice automatic pick. There is no doubt about his quality, but jab kabhi naseeb nahi hota (when it’s not in our destiny), form is not good, then it’s better to give opportunities to someone with destiny and form,” he again shared.
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However, Sunil Gavaskar further praised Team India’s middle-order batters for their ability to score runs quickly, especially Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel. He also warned the team while facing minnows like the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands in their 2026 T20 World Cup group-stage matches ahead of the knockouts as well.
Gavaskar said again, “Tailor-made and made-to-measure team. What do you need? You need power hitters in the middle order. Someone who can score 25-30 runs in 10 balls. You have Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel. Even Harshit can hit big sixes if included in the XI. It’s kind of a stepney. If you lose two quick wickets in four overs, then you have cushioning and balance. So, yeah, made-to-measure team.”
“What happens is that when you have Axar Patel at No. 6 or 7, and Shivam Dube is ready to bat at No. 7, then the opening batters or No.3 sometimes think that there are enough batters [depth] and then they can do anything. If they get out early, then that will build pressure. So, be cautious against that. Don’t be complacent about the fact that you think it’s a long batting order during the first three to four overs; I can do anything. If the matches against the USA and Namibia were close, then it would be good for India. I don’t want easy victories for Team India to tune up before knockout matches,” Sunil Gavaskar concluded.
