Abhishek Sharma chose the biggest night of India's T20 World Cup campaign to answer his critics. Under mounting scrutiny after three ducks in the tournament
and growing calls to drop him from the XI - or at least move him away from the top - the left-hander responded in the only currency that matters: boundaries. In a must-win Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Abhishek roared back to form with a 26-ball half-century, his first in a T20 World Cup.
India raced to 80/1 in the Powerplay, with Abhishek setting the tempo. By the 10th over, he had brought up his fifty off just 26 balls, striking cleanly and playing with the fearless intent that first earned him his spot. At 125/2 after 11 overs, with Suryakumar Yadav joining him, India finally looked like the explosive batting unit they had promised to be.
The knock was as much about narrative as numbers. After a string of low scores and visible pressure, this was a statement innings - aggressive, high-tempo, and unapologetic. He did not rebuild. He attacked.
On X, the mood swung dramatically.
"ABHISHEK SHARMA IS BACK..!!!!" one user posted moments after the fifty.
Another wrote: "Where are all the people that said Abhishek Sharma can't play in big games or with pressure? HE JUST HIT 50 RUNS IN 26 BALLS. And this is the most important game of the tournament for them right now! The haters are quiet!!"
ABHISHEK SHARMA IS BACK..!!!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nv91rauAjt
- Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) February 26, 2026
Where are all the people that said Abhishek Sharma can’t play in big games or with pressure? HE JUST HIT 50 RUNS IN 26 BALLS. And this is the most important game of the tournament for them right now! The haters are quiet!!
- Sunny Days☀️ (@Sunny083193) February 26, 2026
One fan framed the innings as a reminder of his role in the side: "This is the Abhishek Sharma we want. Playing at 150+ SR. Even if he fails, he could still disproportionately win when he plays good. Just like Sehwag. People shouldn't be asking him to make the game. He's there to break the bowler"
Another message, blending relief and defiance, read: "#AbhishekSharma to his trollers Left right and center sabhi ko chamaat maarte hue It's just super easy to criticise and nag at the same time it takes a mammoth effort and feels like a mountain to climb from where this guy delivered Hats off! Paaji"
This is the Abhishek Sharma we want. Playing at 150+ SR. Even if he fails, he could still disproportionately win when he plays good. Just like Sehwag. People shouldn't be asking him to make the game. He's there to break the bowler. #INDvsZIM
- Sachin Mandot (@SachinMandot) February 26, 2026
#AbhishekSharma to his trollers
- Shadab Shaikh (@TheDesiBanter) February 26, 2026
Left right and center sabhi ko chamaat maarte hue
It's just super easy to criticise and nag at the same time it takes a mammoth effort and feels like a mountain to climb from where this guy delivered
Hats off! Paaji 🙇🏼#INDvsZIM
For a player who had woken up to pressure, doubts and statistical reminders of his lean patch, Abhishek's response was emphatic. In a tournament where India's margin for error has narrowed to almost nothing, his fifty was not just timely, it was necessary.
