Sam Curran wary of Abhishek Sharma's threat ahead of T20 World Cup semis: ‘I hope he doesn’t produce another…'

In India's recent T20I series vs England before the World Cup, Abhishek Sharma got a 37-ball hundred in the final fixture.

Published on: Mar 4, 2026, 07:20:48 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Despite failing to find his usual form at the ongoing T20 World Cup, Abhishek Sharma still remains one of India's key weapons in their upcoming semifinal clash vs England. Speaking ahead of the match, all-rounder Sam Curran revealed that England are wary of the opener's threat.

India's Abhishek Sharma plays a shot during a T20 World Cup match. (PTI)

Abhishek did rediscover his form against Zimbabwe recently, smacking 55 off 30 balls, but then once again lost his wicket cheaply to the West Indies, departing for 10 off 11 balls. In India's recent T20I series vs England before the World Cup, Abhishek also got a 37-ball hundred in the final fixture.

Also Read: Allen, Seifert's early disruption vs Markram, Miller's sustained domination: NZ's power meets SA's balance

‘I hope Abhishek doesn’t produce…': Sam Curran

Speaking in the pre-match press conference, Curran said, “Well, at the moment our main focus is Thursday night. Of course, I hope Abhishek doesn’t produce the same kind of knock again. But we are very well prepared for the game, and our attention is firmly on Thursday night.”

Abhishek began his T20 World Cup campaign with three consecutive ducks, followed by 15 off 12 runs vs South Africa. He has only managed 80 runs from six innings in the ongoing tournament, and will look to bounce back to form against England.

Meanwhile, even Aussie legend Ricky Ponting feels that Abhishek could bounce back to form in the upcoming semifinal clash. Speaking during The ICC Review, he said, "Sometimes, when you're going through a bit of a slump like that, it is not always best just to go into the nets every day and bat for an hour and a half. Sometimes it is better off to let these guys just have a couple of days away, like mentally freshen up. The skills do not go anywhere. You do not lose your skills."

"But in a tournament like this, when you are consistently and constantly under pressure and the results are not coming, sometimes just leaving your bag zipped up, turning up the training, getting a little bit of bowling done, getting your fielding done, but not actually batting and almost starving yourself of going back into the nets. I think Abhishek's got something up his sleeve for the semi-final," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.