Former Indian batter and commentator Kris Srikkanth has reckoned that the dashing opening batter Abhishek Sharma should have been dropped for the first T20I against Afghanistan on Sunday, September 13, in Delhi.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth asserted that Sharma didn’t score enough runs in his previous six innings, as he managed to score only 40 runs at an average of 6.66. However, he stunned Afghanistan with an 82-run knock in the first T20I.
“Abhishek Sharma actually shouldn’t have played this game on form. But he smashed Afghanistan yesterday and batted brilliantly. Though he didn’t score in the previous six innings, everyone will remember only this 82 and forget the rest,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Further, Srikkanth showered praise on the keeper-batter Ishan Kishan for his heroics in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final against South Zone. Notably, Kishan scored a double century in the first innings and an 80-run knock in the second innings. It’s worth noting that Kishan hasn’t played a Test since the tour of the West Indies in 2023.
“He (Kishan) has been unbelievable, coming from domestic cricket. He is smashing a 270 in the Duleep Trophy final, which is brilliant. Now he is surely a strong contender for the Test team. He is scoring so much that he has to be in the reckoning for the Indian Test squad. He is scoring in every format and has to be in the mix of things in Test cricket,” he concluded.
Delving into the details of the first T20I, Afghanistan posted 156/8 in 20 overs after batting first. Azmatullah Omarzai was the top scorer with an unbeaten 64-run knock. Arshdeep Singh racked up a three-wicket haul.
In response, India crossed the winning line in 13.4 overs, winning the game by seven wickets. Abhishek Sharma was the wrecker-in-chief with an 82-run knock off 32 balls, with seven fours and as many sixes.
