India are entering a crucial phase of the T20 World Cup 2026, but the team management has made its stance clear on opener Abhishek Sharma. Despite his poor run, he is not under threat of being dropped.
Abhishek has had a difficult start to the tournament. The left hander has been dismissed for three consecutive ducks, raising questions about his place in the playing XI.
With India set to face South Africa in the Super 8 match in Ahmedabad on Sunday, his form has become a major talking point among fans and experts.
Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel dismissed all rumours about dropping Abhishek. Speaking to the media, he said there has been absolutely no discussion about removing him from the team.
Morkel described Abhishek Sharma as a world class player. He backed the young opener to bounce back and deliver when it matters most.
The coach also pointed out that other batters have stepped up when Abhishek failed. This has helped India stay competitive so far in the tournament.
At the same time, Morkel admitted that India now need contributions from Abhishek. As the competition reaches a crucial stage, every player’s performance becomes important.
Ahead of the South Africa clash, Abhishek worked closely on his game. He had a one on one net session with head coach Gautam Gambhir before joining the fielding drills.
This preparation shows that the team management is fully backing him. They are focused on helping him regain confidence rather than putting pressure on him.
Morkel said Abhishek is hitting the ball well in practice. He added that the opener only needs one good start to turn things around.
He also called Abhishek an exciting player to watch. According to Morkel, everyone enjoys his batting when he is in form.
With tougher matches ahead, India will hope Abhishek finds his rhythm soon. A strong comeback from the young opener could play a key role in India’s title defence.
