Ahmedabad: Former India batter Mohammad Kaif believes young opener Abhishek Sharma would have greatly benefited from the presence of senior stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in India’s T20I setup, as the 25-year-old continues to struggle in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026.
Abhishek, currently ranked No. 1 in the ICC T20I batting rankings, is yet to open his account in the tournament. The left-hander has registered ducks in all three of India’s previous matches against the USA, Pakistan and the Netherlands. Across those outings, he has managed to survive just eight deliveries in total, raising concerns about his form and temperament ahead of the Super 8 clash against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Early exits raise concerns
Abhishek’s dismissals have come against varied bowling attacks. He fell to pacer Ali Khan in the match against the USA before being undone by off-spinners Salman Ali Agha and Aryan Dutt in subsequent games. The pattern of dismissals, particularly against spin during the powerplay, has sparked debate among former cricketers and analysts.
Despite entering the tournament with high expectations, the Punjab batter has found it difficult to adapt to match conditions and scoreboard pressure. His inability to rotate strike and settle into the innings has compounded India’s top-order concerns.
With the Super 8 stage marking the business end of the tournament, the pressure is mounting on the young opener to deliver.
Kaif highlights role of senior players
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif pointed out that the absence of Kohli and Rohit from the T20I squad is being felt, especially by younger players navigating lean patches.
“Looking at Abhishek’s current form, where he has scored three ducks, he is yet to open his mark. At this time, you feel the absence of players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma,” Kaif said.
He recalled how Kohli used to actively mentor younger batters such as Shubman Gill, often discussing technique and game awareness. According to Kaif, such guidance plays a crucial role in building confidence and correcting minor flaws before they snowball into bigger issues.
“When such players are there in the team, junior players benefit a lot. Looking at Abhishek’s mental state, he would have benefited from having players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma there. Virat would himself tell you about the foot movement and the importance of rotating the strike. It’s easier to say that remove these two; we have found the replacement, but you haven’t,” he added.
Experience versus transition
Kohli and Rohit retired from T20Is after India’s triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Both have also stepped away from Test cricket and are currently focusing solely on the ODI format, with their sights set on the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Their departure marked the beginning of a transition phase in India’s T20 setup, with younger players being handed greater responsibility. While the move is seen as a long-term investment, Kaif emphasised that transitions can expose gaps in leadership and mentorship.
“I am telling you, the current phase of Abhishek, he would have benefited from the guidance of Virat and Rohit. Senior players in these situations are very helpful,” Kaif reiterated.
The former batter underlined that senior players often provide off-field support that does not always reflect in scorecards — be it tactical discussions, mental conditioning or advice on handling big-match pressure.
Team backing Abhishek
India captain Suryakumar Yadav, however, has expressed confidence in Abhishek’s ability to bounce back. The skipper has maintained that the team management backs the youngster and believes he will come good in the Super 8 fixtures against South Africa, Zimbabwe and the West Indies.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir is also understood to have had discussions with Abhishek regarding his approach against spin, particularly in the powerplay overs. Kaif said he is confident that both Suryakumar and Gambhir would have advised the youngster on using his feet more effectively and showing greater patience at the crease.
“Abhishek needs to fine-tune. You cannot play at your own pace; you need to show some patience,” Kaif observed.
Crucial phase ahead
The match against South Africa represents a pivotal moment for both Abhishek and the Indian team. A strong performance could not only restore the opener’s confidence but also solidify India’s top-order stability in the knockout stages.
For Abhishek, the challenge lies in balancing his natural attacking instincts with situational awareness. T20 cricket often rewards aggression, but as Kaif suggested, composure and adaptability remain equally important — especially on the world stage.
As India enter a crucial phase of the tournament, the spotlight will remain firmly on the young opener. Whether he can convert the faith of his captain and coach into runs on the board could play a decisive role in shaping India’s campaign.
Comments are closed.