"Real Consistent Cricket..." - Ravi Shastri Praises India’s T20 World Cup Semi- Final Victory

Before the T20 World Cup final, India's opening lineup was a story of stark differences. Despite being persistent, Abhishek Sharma has not been able to reach his peak form due to illness and a lack of rhythm, which negatively impacts his ability to score runs. After starting the tournament on the bench, Sanju Samson has returned from the cold to deliver two game-winning blows in two crucial games.

After making it to the final of the 2026 T20 World Cup, former India player and coach Ravi Shastri praised the team's effort. The Men in Blue advanced to the final against New Zealand after defeating England by a slim margin of seven wickets in the semifinal.  Thanks to Jacob Bethell's 105, the Three Lions gave India a serious run for their money after scoring 253. However, the hosts won a tense match because of some outstanding bowling and fielding from players like Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah. 

Ravi Shastri on T20 World Cup Semi- Final:

🚨 RAVI SHASTRI QUESTIONS ABHISHEK’S MENTAL STATE 🚨

Ravi Shastri said – “Don't drop Abhishek yet, but management must check if he is mentally broken. If not ready, then immediately bring in Ishan or Rinku!” 🤯pic.twitter.com/BwLE6yqoPj

— Sam (@Cricsam01) March 6, 2026

A major concern before Sunday's final matchup with New Zealand is what should be done with Abhishek. Most people seem to concur that he should be supported because he has the potential to settle games on his own if he performs well. There are critics, though, and Ravi Shastri silenced them, suggesting that Abhishek may be keeping his best for last. Shastri commended India's performance in the competition. He praised the squad's balance and said that it is always beneficial for players to have experienced success, as it provides them with valuable experience in challenging circumstances. 

Indian Express quotes Shastri saying, "It was a lot tighter than many people think․ Yes, it shows seven runs on the board, but for those catches from Axar Patel, this could have gone either way. They’ve played some real consistent cricket․ They have got a nice blend of youth and experience, a lot of the players who played in the last World Cup final are on the side, so they would have gained from that experience, and here playing at home is not easy."

Regarding the southpaw opener, Shastri said on the ICC Review, "I think they've just got to stick with him now. Don't make any changes as the side's having a good run. Stick with that and just tell him to believe in your ability, believe in your strengths and back your strengths, don't go into a shell where you're tentative, or you're timid."

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