Ahmedabad, February 21. As Team India gears up for a crucial Super 8 showdown against South Africa on Sunday, captain Suryakumar Yadav has thrown his weight behind opener Abhishek Sharma, who has endured a nightmare start to the T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.
Abhishek, the explosive left-hander and T20 cricket’s number-one ranked batter, has failed to open his account in the tournament so far. He was dismissed for a golden duck against the USA, followed by quick dismissals against Pakistan and Netherlands. Despite the barren run, Suryakumar remains unfazed, expressing full confidence in his teammate’s ability to turn things around.
In a pre-match press conference, Suryakumar dismissed concerns over Abhishek’s form with a sharp retort. ‘I’m not worried about those fretting over Abhishek’s form. Why are they so bothered? I worry about the teams facing him now that he hasn’t scored a single run yet – the rest is history,’ he quipped, hinting at the danger Abhishek poses even in a slump.
Emphasizing the team ethic, Suryakumar added, ‘This is a team sport, ups and downs are part of it. Abhishek needs to play his natural game. If he does, great; if not, we’ve got his back. Last year, he covered for us extensively – now it’s our turn to do the same.’
The backing extends beyond the captain. Bowling coach Morne Morkel, in an earlier presser, reaffirmed Abhishek’s spot in the side. ‘No discussions about his place in the team. He’s world-class. Some players have fired up so far, but Abhishek hasn’t got the runs he wanted. We’re entering a key phase of the World Cup, and I’m confident he’ll deliver for the team and entertain fans. He’s smashing it in the nets; he just needs to get off to a start and build innings.’
Abhishek’s record against South Africa offers hope – 200 runs in 8 matches, including a half-century against the 2024 World Cup runners-up. With India kicking off their Super 8 campaign, all eyes will be on whether the young star can rediscover his flair and silence the doubters.