Former Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has backed Abhishek Sharma to play against Zimbabwe in the Super 8 clash of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Sharma was dismissed for 15 runs off 12 balls against South Africa after managing three consecutive ducks in the group stage.
Meanwhile, in the practice session, it was observed that Sanju Samson was keeping the wickets, whereas Ishan Kishan was seen fielding in the outfield, indicating that the former could be given the wicket-keeping gloves against Zimbabwe.
Samson had scored a little cameo of 8-ball 22 against Namibia in Delhi when Abhishek was ruled out with a stomach infection.
“I think so. Otherwise, you would have seen Ishan only keeping wickets. However, now Sanju is keeping wickets. It means there are clear signs that he might come into the playing XI. You have three left-handers at the top. So he might break that chain as well. We have heard in the press conference as well from the batting coach that they are thinking about this change,” Chawla said on Star Sports.
“So Sanju Samson can possibly come because the way he batted against Namibia, obviously, it was a short inning, but the intent and approach, and we all know what Sanju is capable of. A lot of people must be thinking that Abhishek is not in the best of form. So Sanju might come in his place,” he added.
The leg-spinner backed Abhishek Sharma to retain his place in the side and said Sanju Samson can replace Rinku Singh.
“However, I feel that based on what Abhishek Sharma has done in the last 18-odd months or so, he should be there in the playing XI because if he bats 25-30 balls, he can outbat the opposition. So Abhishek will be there, and the one player, unfortunately, who will have to make a place for Sanju Samson, that will be Rinku Singh then,” he observed.
During the same discussion, Chawla backed Axar Patel to return to India’s playing XI after the Indian vice-captain was dropped in the last two games.
“When he was not in the playing XI in the last game against South Africa, I was surprised. This game, I feel, he will be there straightaway because you need somebody like him,” he said.
The former MI spinner said Patel can deliver with both bat and ball for India.
“We have seen what he is capable of. When you need those crunch 25-30 runs, he goes and scores that. When you need wickets in those crunch situations, he comes and bowls that wonderful over. So Axar Patel will walk in straightaway,” Chawla observed.
