India’s journey in the T20 World Cup 2026 has hit a significant setback, emphasizing the need to support young opening batsman Abhishek Sharma. In their first Super 8 match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, India faced a heavy loss, falling by 76 runs to South Africa.
There are two main issues impacting India’s performance and Abhishek’s form. The team struggled to display their usual aggressive style due to the tough pitch conditions. Their defeat against South Africa highlighted their inability to cope with the opponent’s effective and disciplined bowling attack.
There were expectations for Abhishek Sharma to score well during these crucial Super 8 matches. Unfortunately, he has been having a tough time, with three consecutive ducks raising concerns about his confidence and batting rhythm.
After the match against South Africa, criticism towards Abhishek intensified, especially since he only managed to score 15 runs off 12 balls.
