Like high octane Super 8 stages of T20 World Cup 2026 up close, the spotlight shines brightly on a man in the Indian camp, but for all the wrong reasons. India set to lock horns with awesome South Africa Sunday, February 22 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Although the team cruised through the group stages with an unblemished 4-0 record, the puzzling form of the stellar opener, Abhishek Sharmasent waves of concern through the cricketing community.
Despite entering the tournament as the world’s top-ranked T20I batsman, Abhishek’s bat has been eerily silent. The former Indian cricketer and veteran of the 2002 NatWest final victory has now expressed serious concerns about the southpaw’s technique and temperament.
The former Indian pointed out the technical flaws in Abhishek Sharma’s game ahead of the crucial encounter against South Africa
Speaking on the YouTube channel, Muhammad Kaif He didn’t mince words while picking apart the opener’s repeated failures. Although he initially dismissed the early failures as coincidence, the pattern became too consistent to ignore.
“Look, it would be understandable when it went to zero twice. Well, back-to-back layoffs happen. Everyone can go out twice. But the third time, and in the same way, it raises questionsKaif noted.
Kaif pointed out that even in Abhishek’s formative years, such a decline was unheard of. He said:I don’t think he ever got out for three ducks in his career, be it U-16, U-19 or IPL. Twice, well, that might be it, but three times? Not opening your account at all raises questions about technique and mindset for upcoming matches.”
According to Kaif, the crux of the matter is Abhishek’s back foot advantage and lack of adaptability. He noted that Abhishek’s tendency to swing hard while standing on his back foot leads him to false shots. Against layoffs Salman Ali Agha and Aryan Dutt highlighted the weakness against off-spinners who vary in length and speed.
“If you look at all three dismissals, he’s kicking off the back foot. His weight transfer, his approach: stable base, high back lift, trying to hit big. Now on the world stage, people are studying him, analyzing his videos, and bowlers are preparingKaif added.
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Abhishek’s failed run in the T20 World Cup 2026 group stage
To say that Abhishek has a skinny patch would be an understatement. The group stage stats are disappointing for a player of his caliber. The scorecard is read for the opener in three matches: 0 (1), 0 (4) and 0 (3).
His nightmare began against the Wankhede Stadium USAwhere it falls for a golden duck. After missing the Namibia match with a stomach problem, he returned for the high-pressure clash. Pakistan In Colombo, only Aghadan struck. Zeros’ “hat trick” was completed against the team in Ahmedabad The Netherlandswhere he was cleared by Dutt while attempting a cross.
This string of three consecutive ducks is now an unwanted record for an Indian batsman in a single edition of the T20 World Cup. South Africa has a developed scouting department and versatile bowlers Aiden Markram and George LindeThe pressure on Abhishek to find his first run in the tournament has reached breaking point.
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