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"Unless He Makes Five Ducks In A Row" WI Great Backs Abhishek Sharma For 2026 World Cup

Bhargav Dixit

Ian Bishop backs Abhishek Sharma. [Source: @irbishi & @SUNRISERSU/X]Ian Bishop backs Abhishek Sharma. [Source: @irbishi & @SUNRISERSU/X]

Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop has put his weight behind Abhishek Sharma to open the innings for India during ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Scheduled to be played in less than 12 months from now, India will strive to become the first team to both defend a T20I title and win it at home.

With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India’s opening pair from the title-winning campaign last year, retiring from the format, India will need an entirely new combination with regard to a world event. As things stand, Abhishek and wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson are India’s T20I openers.

Currently in India to work as a broadcaster during Indian Premier League 2025, Bishop considered Abhishek to be the frontrunner while speaking on ESPNcricinfo TimeOut.

"I think Abhishek Sharma has been given a run in recent T20Is, and has flexed enough to say, despite current form, he was given that run with Tilak Varma and all those guys in South Africa. So, I would say unless he is making five ducks in a row, I would put him ahead of the queue,” Bishop told ESPN Cricinfo.

Ian Bishop Considers India To Be Facing A Problem Of Plenty

Like many cricket experts and fans, Bishop is particularly impressed with Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan.

With Bishop rightly believing that India face a problem of plenty than a problem of famine, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee will have to be on its toes while selecting a 15-member squad for what will be the second T20 World Cup in the country.

"Imagine giving Sai Sudharsan a role, where he does not have to play the GT role, the responsibility. Imagine what it would be like if you say, 'Sai, just go out, don't fear failure, take it up another gear, don't give us this responsible role’,” Bishop said.

As of now, Abhishek’s ability to come up with match-winning innings at mind-blowing strike rates makes him a superior contender in comparison to Sudharsan. Additionally, contrary to the general perception, Sudharsan has done better in the “responsible role” for Gujarat than for Tamil Nadu in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.