The ‘Orange Army’ note connection with Abhishek Sharma
The unique note moment began in a memorable IPL match. After scoring his first IPL century for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 2025 season, Abhishek took out a note from his pocket that said: “This one is for the Orange Army,” dedicating his achievement to the team’s fans.
This gesture quickly became a topic of discussion in Cricket circles, with many appreciating the young player’s tribute. Suryakumar’s playful reenactment of the moment—checking if Abhishek had another note for the World Cup—showcases his lighthearted leadership style and the friendly rapport between them.
Abhishek is yet to score in T20 World Cup 2026
While the training session was fun, it comes at a time when Abhishek’s batting form is being closely examined. The 25-year-old has recorded three consecutive ducks in the T20 World Cup 2026, getting out for zero against the United States, Pakistan, and the Netherlands.
He missed India’s group game against Namibia due to a stomach infection that needed hospital care in New Delhi. He returned for the match against the Netherlands but was bowled out by off-spinner Aryan Dutt for another duck, making him the first Indian opener to achieve this unwanted record in T20 World Cup history.
Despite this tough spell, Abhishek is still ranked as the world’s No. 1 T20I batter, with 1,297 runs from 40 T20I innings at an impressive strike rate of 192.43. However, the pressure is growing as he has been out for a duck five times in his last seven International games.
Virendra Sehwag’s advice to Abhishek: “Try to play some balls”
Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has shared his thoughts on Abhishek’s struggles, stressing that he needs to tweak his approach without losing his aggression.
“It was a ball to be hit but he missed it. I’ve been where he is now, scoring 2-3 ducks, but bouncing back isn’t too hard—it’s all about mindset,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.
“It’s about picking the right shots, which is his mistake right now. The pressure to score immediately is high, which can lead to errors. He should try to play a few deliveries to find his rhythm,” the legendary opener advised.
India will start their Super 8 campaign against South Africa on February 22 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. They will also play Zimbabwe in Chennai on February 26 and the West Indies in Kolkata on March 1.
For Abhishek, the match against South Africa is a chance to prove his critics wrong and show that the captain and team management still believe in him. Despite recent challenges, Suryakumar’s humorous gesture in training indicates that the team’s support for the young opener remains strong.
