As India gears up for its T20 World Cup semifinal against England, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has expressed his belief in the struggling Abhishek Sharma, suggesting that the left-handed batsman may have a surprise in store for this crucial match.

The current T20I world number one, Abhishek Sharma, has faced a challenging tournament thus far. He began with three consecutive ducks and missed a match against Namibia due to food poisoning. His first runs came against South Africa, where he managed a modest 15 runs off 12 balls. Although he scored a vital 55 runs off 30 balls against Zimbabwe, his performance dipped again with just 10 runs against the West Indies, totaling only 80 runs in six innings, including three ducks.

During an episode of 'The ICC Review', Ponting shared that he had high expectations for Abhishek, believing he would emerge as the tournament's top run-scorer. Despite the current struggles, Ponting remains supportive, highlighting India's batting depth that can compensate for Abhishek's off days. He emphasized Abhishek's potential as a 'match-winner' for the team.

Ponting noted the strength of India's batting lineup, mentioning the balance of left-hand and right-hand openers and the dangerous presence of Ishan Kishan at number three. He expressed interest in observing Abhishek's training closely.

Ponting suggested that a mental reset could be crucial for Abhishek to elevate his game. He advised that stepping away from the nets might be beneficial during a slump, allowing players to mentally refresh without losing their skills.

He explained that in high-pressure tournaments, taking a break from batting practice while focusing on bowling and fielding could help alleviate stress. Ponting concluded by expressing confidence that Abhishek has something special planned for the semifinal.