Sunil Gavaskar has called for patience and smarter shot selection from Abhishek Sharma after the young opener’s disappointing run in the T20 World Cup 2026, where he is yet to score a single run. As India advance to the Super Eight stage unbeaten, concerns are mounting over Sharma’s form and the pressure of expectations on the rising star.
The Punjab batter has endured a difficult campaign, registering three consecutive ducks against USA, Pakistan and the Netherlands. He also missed India’s clash against Namibia due to a stomach bug. With India now preparing for tougher contests ahead, Gavaskar believes a mental reset could be key to Sharma’s revival.
Also read: Sanjay Manjrekar Sparks Debate Over India’s No-Handshake Policy With Pakistan
Gavaskar Highlights Pressure of Expectations
Speaking on Star Sports, the former India captain suggested that the burden of being viewed as a power-hitter may be weighing heavily on Sharma.
“Maybe the expectations might be weighing just a little too heavily on him,” Gavaskar said. “If he had got a flying start in the first game, things might have been different.”
Gavaskar pointed out that Sharma is seen as the team’s aggressive six-hitter and a batter capable of maintaining a strike rate above 200. However, he stressed that such perceptions should not dictate his approach at the crease.
‘Give Yourself Time in the Middle’
Gavaskar advised the young opener to focus on building his innings rather than chasing early boundaries.
“With the range of shots he has, he has to give himself a little more time in the middle. Not be looking to open his innings with a boundary or a six,” he said.
He added that even a few dot balls at the start should not cause panic. Instead, rotating the strike and getting comfortable on the pitch would allow Sharma to accelerate later in the innings.
“The way he is getting out is very predictable. The mindset is such that, ‘I am being seen as somebody who hits at a 200 strike-rate, I have to live up to that.’ You don’t have to. Take a couple of singles, get a sense of the pitch. Once he gets set, he will get a big score,” Gavaskar explained.
A Stark Contrast to Pre-Tournament Form
Before the T20 World Cup 2026, Sharma was in impressive form during India’s home T20I series against New Zealand. He scored two half-centuries and finished as the third-highest run-scorer in the series, accumulating 182 runs in five matches at a staggering strike rate of 249.32.
However, his three ducks in the ongoing tournament mean he has now recorded five ducks in 2026. Pakistan’s Saim Ayub, by comparison, has been dismissed for a duck six times this year.
Gavaskar, who represented Mumbai during his playing days, emphasized that playing for India demands composure and adaptability.
“If you are playing for India, you have to get off the mark, and everything will fall in place. He has to play smart cricket,” he added.
India March Into Super Eight Unbeaten
India completed their group-stage campaign with a 100 percent record after a 17-run victory over the Netherlands. The Men in Blue now move into Group 1 of the Super Eight stage alongside 2024 runners-up South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe.
India will open their Super Eight campaign against South Africa in Ahmedabad on February 22, a crucial fixture as they aim to maintain momentum in the tournament.
With tougher challenges ahead, all eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma to rediscover his rhythm and justify the faith placed in him as one of India’s most explosive T20 prospects.