Ahmedabad, February 21. As Team India gears up for a crucial Super 8 clash against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026, captain Suryakumar Yadav has thrown his weight behind struggling opener Abhishek Sharma. The young batter has failed to open his account in the tournament so far, enduring a golden duck against USA and early dismissals versus Pakistan and Netherlands.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Suryakumar dismissed concerns over Abhishek’s form. ‘I’m not worried about those fretting over Abhishek’s runs. I pity the teams facing him now that he hasn’t scored yet. The rest is history,’ he quipped, exuding confidence in his teammate’s imminent turnaround.
‘It’s a team game,’ Suryakumar emphasized. ‘Abhishek played his natural game last year, covering for us brilliantly. Now it’s our turn to back him. If he fires, great; if not, we’ve got his back.’ This solidarity comes at a pivotal moment, with India aiming to hit stride in the Super 8 stage.
Abhishek’s woes contrast sharply with his past exploits. Against South Africa, he boasts a solid record of 200 runs in eight matches, including a half-century during their 2024 World Cup runners-up campaign. Bowling coach Morne Morkel echoed the captain’s sentiments earlier, affirming no discussions on dropping the 25-year-old world-class talent.
Morkel highlighted Abhishek’s net form: ‘He’s smashing it in practice. This is a critical phase of the World Cup, and I have full faith he’ll deliver for the team and entertain fans.’ With India’s campaign hanging in balance, Abhishek’s redemption against the Proteas could prove decisive, underscoring the resilience that defines champions.