Entering the Super 8 clash under immense scrutiny following a dismal string of three consecutive ducks in the group stages, Sharma silenced detractors with a clinical 55 off just 30 deliveries. His innings, punctuated by four boundaries and four towering sixes, anchored India to a record-breaking 256 for 4—the nation’s highest-ever total in T20 World Cup history. The performance served as a definitive retort to former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir, who had recently labeled the young opener a "slogger" lacking a defensive gear.
Responding to these criticisms on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat, Ravichandran Ashwin delivered a spirited rebuttal, characterizing Sharma’s batting as elite rather than erratic. "You can say anything about his game, but he is not a slogger," Ashwin stated. "He has one of the most enviable bat swings in the game today—arguably better than his mentor, Yuvraj Singh. Whenever he strikes the ball, it goes very far, which people often mistake for slogging." Ashwin further advised the youngster to prioritize timing over raw power, noting that his natural bat speed is sufficient to clear any boundary in the world.
The tactical reshuffle also saw Sanju Samson promoted to open alongside Sharma, a move that successfully disrupted Zimbabwe’s bowling rhythm. Samson’s composed presence allowed Sharma the freedom to attack, a strategy lauded by both Yuvraj Singh and the Indian team management. Following Sharma's explosive start, Hardik Pandya (50*) and Tilak Varma (44*) capitalized on the momentum, hammering 80 runs in the final five overs to push the total beyond Zimbabwe’s reach.
With this commanding performance, India now heads to Kolkata for a "winner-takes-all" showdown against the West Indies on March 1. The victor of that clash at Eden Gardens will secure the final semifinal berth from Group 1, joining South Africa in the knockout stages. As the tournament enters its most volatile phase, Sharma’s resurgence provides India with the aggressive edge they had been missing, turning a period of personal struggle into a pivotal narrative of the 2026 World Cup.
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