Vihari and Srikkanth criticize Abhishek Sharma's poor form in Zimbabwe T20I series
Hanuma Vihari publicly questioned India's selection logic as Abhishek Sharma continued to struggle in the 2026 Zimbabwe T20I series.
Two prominent Indian cricket voices have publicly raised concerns about Abhishek Sharma's extended run of poor form during India's ongoing T20I series against Zimbabwe in 2026. Hanuma Vihari, a Test batter who was dropped from the national setup, used Sharma's struggles to challenge what he described as a double standard in how Indian selectors apply patience to different players. Vihari's remarks carry a pointed personal dimension, given that he was himself discarded despite arguable contributions at the Test level. Former India opener Kris Srikkanth separately echoed those concerns after the second T20I, saying he could not explain Sharma's continued difficulties at the crease. Srikkanth's comments suggest the form slump is pronounced enough to generate discussion among ex-players with close ties to the sport. The sources do not provide specific scorecard figures for Sharma's innings, but both commentators frame the issue as an ongoing pattern rather than a one-off failure. The criticism centers on whether Sharma is being afforded more runway than other players would receive in similar circumstances.
Why it matters
Selection fairness is a recurring flashpoint in Indian cricket, and public criticism from former players can influence the conversation around squad decisions ahead of major tournaments. Sharma's place in India's T20 plans may come under review if the poor form continues.
What's next
Further T20Is in the Zimbabwe series will offer Sharma additional opportunities to respond to the scrutiny with runs.
Key facts
- Hanuma Vihari publicly questioned the fairness of India's selection policy in light of Abhishek Sharma's poor form
- Kris Srikkanth said after the second T20I that he does not know 'what is happening' with Sharma
- The criticism relates to the ongoing 2026 India tour of Zimbabwe T20I series
- Vihari himself was dropped from the Indian team, giving his comments a direct personal context
- Both ex-players framed Sharma's struggles as a continuing pattern, not a single bad game
Bias & framing notes
Both sources are from the same outlet, Sportskeeda, limiting independent corroboration. The framing in both articles leans toward criticism of selectors and Sharma, with no quotes or context from the team management or selectors offering a counter-perspective. Vihari's 'discarded' status is foregrounded in a way that frames his remarks as grievance-driven, while Srikkanth's concern is presented as more analytical.
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