T20 World Cup: Suryakumar says, “I worry about people who worry about Abhishek’s form.”

Abhishek Sharma has bagged three ducks in as many matches in T20 World Cup 2026 (AP Photo)

T20 World Cup 2026: Suryakumar says, “I worry about people who worry about Abhishek’s form.” Captain Suryakumar Yadav downplayed worries over Abhishek Sharma’s lean patch in an interview with the media in Ahmedabad the night before India’s Super 8s match against South Africa. Three ducks in as many games have prevented the World No. 1 T20I batter from getting off to a good start in the competition.

Suryakumar Yadav, captain of India, downplayed worries about Abhishek Sharma’s performance, claiming that the team’s management is not paying too much attention to his slump. Speaking to reporters in Ahmedabad the night before India’s Super 8 match against South Africa, Suryakumar urged Abhishek to step up and be a vital member of the team during the pivotal T20 World Cup 2026 round. Atlast Suryakumar says, “I worry about people who worry about Abhishek’s form.”

Abhishek Sharma has had a miserable tournament run, missing one of India’s four group-stage games because of a stomach-related issue. Despite having registered ducks in each of the three games, he has not yet opened his account.Atlast Suryakumar says, “I worry about people who worry about Abhishek’s form.”

“I’m concerned about those who worry about Abhishek Sharma’s form, asking them, ‘Why do you worry so much about his form?'” Due to the fact that he has yet to score, I am concerned about the teams that will be facing him,” Suryakumar stated on Saturday, February 21.

“You know what happens when he goes big, and that’s the rest of the answer. As it happens, the team requires that he play in accordance with his identity because it’s a team sport. That’s what he’s attempting. Great if it clicks. We are there to cover for him if it doesn’t. He covered for us last year; let’s do it this time.”Atlast Suryakumar says, “I worry about people who worry about Abhishek’s form.”

On February 22, India will play South Africa in the first of their three Super 8 games in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Despite his lean patch, Abhishek is expected to stay in the starting lineup.

One day after bowling coach Morne Morkel stated that the team management is not even talking about Abhishek’s tournament performances, Suryakumar is strongly supporting the young opener.Atlast Suryakumar says, “I worry about people who worry about Abhishek’s form.”

“There was absolutely no conversation about that in our team group. He is a top-tier athlete. Fortunately, we’ve had other players step up with Abhishek not scoring the runs you want so far in the tournament. We are currently in a crucial stage of the World Cup, and I have a good feeling he will produce,” Morkel stated on Friday.

DUCK, DUCK AND DUCK

In the T20 World Cup, Abhishek has only encountered eight deliveries thus far. In the opening match of the competition, the Punjab batsman, who played despite being ill, was removed by USA’s Ali Khan. Abhishek returned for the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan match in Colombo on February 15 after missing India’s match against Namibia in Delhi due to illness. But in the first over, Salman Ali Agha, a part-time off-spinner, removed him.

In the last group-stage match between India and the Netherlands in Ahmedabad, another off-spinner, Aryan Dutt, pulled out Abhishek.

In spite of Abhishek’s poor performance, India won all four of its group-stage games to go undefeated into the Super 8s.

Pundits and other onlookers have advised Abhishek to refrain from making bold moves right now. Playing an ambitious hoick at a delivery that skidded on and slammed into the stumps, he lost his leg stump against the Netherlands. Because Abhishek was unable to adapt to the trajectory, Aryan Dutt bowled from around the wicket.Atlast Suryakumar says, “I worry about people who worry about Abhishek’s form.”

Does Abhishek’s right-arm off-spin pose a problem? Given that India has six left-handers, is the team concerned about this?I haven’t witnessed any rough patches being made during the first over of T20Is. We are capable of handling any type of bowling because we have played enough cricket. Having experienced every kind of bowling in both franchise and international cricket, we have our game plans established,” he stated.We’ve won four times. We have successfully negotiated challenging circumstances.

Reading the numbers is disheartening. In his last seven T20I innings, Abhishek has now scored five ducks. Even though it’s still February, those five ducks are the most an Indian has ever had in a single calendar year in Twenty20 Internationals. The decline has been severe for a batter who was ranked first in the world in T20Is going into the competition and was one of India’s strongest top-order alternatives.

But as Suryakumar noted, Abhishek had dominated the Indian batting lineup the previous season, shattering records whenever he pleased. He amassed a remarkable strike rate of 193.46 in T20Is in 2025, scoring 859 runs at an average of 42 in 21 games.Atlast Suryakumar says, “I worry about people who worry about Abhishek’s form.”

Sanju Samson is waiting in the wings, but his reputation will probably get him a lengthy rope that he deserves.Would you like me to play Samson instead of Abhishek? Rather than Tilak? We also want to score highly, you see. “We are getting ready for it,” the skipper responded when asked if the team’s management was considering playing Samson.Atlast Suryakumar says, “I worry about people who worry about Abhishek’s form.”

IS TILAK VARMA BATTING TOO SLOW?

Suryakumar Yadav responded that the team management wanted the Mumbai Indians batter to maintain his flexibility when questioned if Tilak Varma had been going beyond his bounds as the anchor at No. 3.

Tilak has appeared a little rusty after rejoining the World Cup team following his recovery from testicular torsion surgery. Suryakumar did, however, convey his belief that the Asia Cup final hero would only get better as the competition went on.

Tilak has scored at almost a run-a-ball in the last three games, including 25 off 21 against Namibia, 25 off 24 against Pakistan, and 31 off 27 against the Netherlands, aside from a quick 16-ball 25 against the USA.

“Not at all. He must bat that manner, according to the team management. He can use the powerplay to play his natural aggressive style if only one wicket is lost. However, he must retreat, form a partnership, and reach the tenth over if two wickets are lost early. At that point, we will have enough firepower to challenge the bowling, Suryakumar said.

“He must not be pleased with the way things have turned out at this point. He’s put in a lot of effort during the last two or three practice sessions. I’m not worried about him, though. At number three, he has often performed well for India, and I have no doubt that he will do so once more.