India opener Abhishek Sharma has endured a forgettable start to the 2026 T20 World Cup, registering three consecutive ducks. Despite the poor run, the team management remains firmly behind the 25-year-old, backing him to come good in the crucial Super 8 stage.
Speaking ahead of India’s clash against South Africa in Ahmedabad, bowling coach Morne Morkel dismissed any speculation around dropping Sharma from the playing XI.
“Absolutely no discussion in our team group about that. He is a world-class player. So far in the tournament, luckily, we’ve had other guys stepping up with Abhishek not scoring the runs you would like,” Morkel said.
He also expressed confidence that Sharma will deliver when it matters most.
“We’re in a very important phase of the World Cup now, and I’m pretty sure he’s going to deliver — not just for the team, but for the viewers as well. He’s been hitting the ball well in the nets; it’s just about getting that start.”
Earlier, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate highlighted a tactical concern, noting that India’s top order — featuring multiple left-handers — allows opposition teams to plan more effectively, especially against finger spin.
“We don’t have too many options in the top three. With surfaces getting tougher, we’ll face more finger spin — from teams like New Zealand, West Indies and South Africa. But we still believe these are our best batters,” he said.
With India entering a decisive phase of the tournament, the management’s faith in Abhishek Sharma remains unwavering — hoping he can turn things around when it matters most.
