India’s march into the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup 2026 has been smooth on paper, but one talking point has followed the team closely — Abhishek Sharma’s three consecutive ducks in the group stage. Despite the outside noise, the Indian camp has made it clear that there is no anxiety, no emergency meetings and no loss of belief in the young opener.
With the business end of the tournament approaching, India’s focus remains firmly on performance and preparation rather than panic. Bowling coach Morne Morkel addressed the issue head-on in a media interaction, firmly dismissing suggestions that Abhishek’s form has become a concern inside the dressing room. According to him, the team continues to view Abhishek as a high-impact player whose value goes beyond a short run of poor scores.
Morkel emphasised that the coaching group sees Abhishek’s situation as a temporary phase rather than a technical or confidence crisis. He highlighted that other batters have stepped up during the group matches, giving the team breathing room to stay patient. The management believes that Abhishek’s attacking style and match-winning ability make him an asset as the tournament intensifies, where a single explosive innings can change the course of a game.
As India prepare for tougher Super 8 challenges, expectations around Abhishek are clear but positive. The coaching staff believes he is striking the ball cleanly in practice and only needs one solid start to regain rhythm. Rather than shielding him, the team expects him to contribute at the right moment — trusting that his breakthrough innings is just around the corner.
For now, India’s message is simple and unified: confidence over concern, backing over doubt, and belief that Abhishek Sharma’s World Cup story is still waiting to unfold.