India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak brushed aside worries over Abhishek Sharma's twin ducks in T20 World Cup 2026 opener, insisting the explosive opener needs
time to click. Despite back-to-back failures against USA and Pakistan, management remains unfazed by his form slump.
Abhishek Sharma has seen his T20 World Cup 2026 campaign beginning disastrously, with ducks in his first two innings, first off Ali Khan of USA, then a four-ball dismissal to Pakistan captain Salman Agha, caught by Shaheen Afridi at mid-on.
This extends his recent T20I woes with four ducks in his last six outings, highlighting a "boom-or-bust" pattern despite his IPL fireworks. India still posted 175 vs Pakistan thanks to Ishan Kishan's 77 off 40, but the top-order fragility has raised eyebrows ahead of Super 8s.
Abhishek Sharma's Form not a Worry for India
And amid that, the India coach has given his verdict on Abhishek, stating the team won't panic over Abhishek's run drought.
India, Pakistan not Rivals Anymore? Former Player makes massive Statement
"Abhishek, before he fell ill, made runs in matches. In the T20 format also, sometimes 10 balls 30 is as important. Not like he hasn't scored runs. T20 format is high risk, someone will get out. If we stress so much, players will be under pressure. He is in good form, has clear plans and a clear mindset, that's what matters for us," Kotak said.
Kotak also toned down the concerns of him falling to predictable traps and urged to stop overanalysing the failures.
"He wasn't well and didn't play (against Namibia). Last game he got out in the first over. One thing we definitely do unnecessarily is overanalyse; sometimes you start making more assumptions than the opposition do. He has his plans sorted, he follows the way he wants to, and obviously we discuss opposition, their bowling, their strengths, what they've been doing, all that is normal for everyone, not just Abhishek," said the India coach.
India have already qualified for the Super 8s and will taken on the Netherlands on Wednesday (February 18) in Ahmedabad. In Abhishek's absence, Sanju Samson played against Namibia and scored a fantastic 22 off just 8 deliveries.
