New Delhi buzzes with cricket talk as India’s opener Abhishek Sharma faces a nightmare start to T20 World Cup 2026. Three matches, three golden ducks – out first ball each time against USA, Pakistan, and Netherlands. Legendary Sunil Gavaskar has stepped in with pointed advice for the 25-year-old prodigy, warning against the pressure of living up to sky-high expectations.
On Star Sports, Gavaskar dissected Sharma’s woes. ‘He’s a fine player, but the hype is weighing him down,’ the former captain noted. He recalled a promising start against USA that went awry, morphing into desperate big shots. ‘With his shot range, he needs to settle in during the middle overs. Can’t go smashing boundaries off the first ball every time. Play smart – singles first, get set, then unleash.’
Gavaskar’s wisdom emphasizes natural strokeplay over forced heroism. ‘Even four dot balls don’t matter. Build an innings gradually. Once he gets that first run, confidence will flow.’ This comes as Sharma grapples with early dismissals in crucial group stage clashes.
Team management’s faith remains unshaken. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate highlighted Sharma’s net session prowess. ‘He batted 90 minutes last night, struck the ball beautifully. He’s had a tough tournament – hospital stay, missed a game against Namibia. But signs are positive for the next phase.’
As India eyes Super 8s, Sharma’s redemption arc could define their campaign. Gavaskar’s call to ‘just get started’ might be the key to unlocking his potential in this high-stakes World Cup.