India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has stated that the team is not worried about Abhishek Sharma’s poor performance in the T20 World Cup 2026. Abhishek has made five ducks in his last seven matches, including three consecutive ones in the current tournament. Morkel, however, believes he will bounce back.
“There’s been absolutely no discussion about that in our team,” Morkel said before India’s Super 8 match against South Africa. “Abhishek is a world-class player. Fortunately, other players have stepped up while Abhishek hasn’t scored as he wanted. We are in a crucial stage of the World Cup, and I’m confident he will deliver.”
“It’s not just important for the team, but also for viewers, as he is entertaining to watch. I believe he will turn it around; he’s hitting well in the nets. He just needs to get a good start and build his innings.”
Aside from Abhishek’s form, another concern for the Indian team is their fielding. Morkel noted that the team is actively working on improving this aspect. India dropped nine catches during the group stage, ranking as the second-worst team in this area, just ahead of Ireland.
“We are making a strong effort to improve our fielding. We know the impact of catches and how we can cut down runs. Catching will be crucial in the upcoming matches.”
“No catch is easy, but the players are putting in the effort. We need to take those 50-50 chances, as they can shift the momentum in crucial moments.”
When asked about the lineup for the South Africa game in Ahmedabad, Morkel suggested changes might be made to the bowling strategy.
“We definitely discuss our options for bowling against different teams. It’s important to stay alert and identify ways to improve our strike rate and target specific batters.”
Morkel also praised Shivam Dube’s growth as an all-rounder.
“For any bowler, confidence matters. This journey started over a year ago when we entrusted him with bowling in Dubai during the Asia Cup. Once you feel supported by the captain, coach, and staff, things become easier. He possesses great skill, and it’s about developing confidence and knowing when to use his variations. He understands conditions well and can determine the best ball to bowl.”
“Giving him support means he can focus on picking wickets without worrying too much about boundaries. We have gradually built his confidence, even during times when he felt disappointed for not bowling.”
