Sam Curran wants 'quiet' outing for Abhishek Sharma in India vs England T20 World Cup semifinal

Ahead of the high-stakes T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, England all-rounder Sam Curran shared his tactical outlook on facing India’s explosive opening batter, Abhishek Sharma. Despite Sharma's reputation for high-octane hitting, Curran expressed hope that England’s bowling attack can keep the left-hander "quiet" during their Thursday night clash.

Sam Curran wants Abhishek Sharma to have an off day in semifinal

Sharma’s tournament journey has been a struggle for consistency so far. While he played a vital role with a 55-run knock against Zimbabwe, he has also recorded three ducks, often falling early due to his uncompromisingly aggressive approach. Curran noted that while Sharma's style puts immediate pressure on the opposition, it has also led to India losing early wickets in the powerplay, a vulnerability England aims to exploit.

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Hope Abhishek will have a quiet game: Sam Curran

During his pre-match press conference, Curran reflected on the conditions at the Wankhede, noting that the surface typically rewards attacking cricket but remains a familiar territory for the English squad. With many of his teammates having extensive IPL experience at the venue, Curran believes they have the necessary "blueprints" to handle the partisan home crowd and the specific threats posed by India's top order.

“Our main focus is Thursday night. Hope Abhishek will have a quiet game. Sorry for everyone getting affected in the middle East but our focus is on the Thursday night,” Curran said at the pre-match press conference.

In the current T20 World Cup 2026, Abhishek has faced a challenging run of form, recording scores of 0, 0, 0, 55, and 10. His campaign was further complicated by a hospitalization for a stomach infection, which forced him to miss the group match against Namibia. This lack of consistency at the top has become a significant concern for India, as it places immense pressure on the middle-order to stabilize the innings early on.

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Conversely, the inclusion of Sanju Samson has proven to be a masterstroke for the lineup. Samson has provided much-needed stability and power, most notably with a spectacular unbeaten 97 off 50 balls against the West Indies on March 1. This match-winning performance in a high-stakes Super 8 fixture was instrumental in securing India's place in the semifinals.

As the defending champions prepare for their semifinal clash against England on March 5, the spotlight remains on the opening partnership. For India to have a strong chance of reaching their second consecutive T20 World Cup final, Abhishek will need to rediscover his aggressive rhythm and provide an explosive start alongside the in-form Samson.