NEW DELHI: Abhishek Sharma did not expect to begin the T20 World Cup 2026 the way he had planned, dreamt and desired. The swashbuckling opener, known for his blistering batting and high strike rate while pummelling bowlers all over the park, endured a nightmare start to the tournament. Abhishek was out for a duck in India’s opening match against the USA and then failed to score again in the next match against arch-rivals Pakistan.
He was once again given a chance by the team management in the third match against the Netherlands, but it was the same story for Abhishek — a third consecutive duck.
The disappointment, lack of confidence and hunger to score were clearly visible on Abhishek’s face. That was when captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir stepped in to support the youngster during his tough phase.
Abhishek has now revealed the radical advice he received from Gambhir and Surya during his darkest phase in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave, Abhishek admitted that after his second consecutive duck in the tournament, he was close to an emotional breakdown.
“Slowly you get used to it. But it does feel bad (when there is criticism). That is going to happen in India because people have a lot of expectations from you. After I scored three ducks, Surya, GG sir and Hardik Pandya came to me and said, ‘Phone pakad, social media hata abhi ke abhi [take your phone and uninstall social media right now]’,” Abhishek said.
“That was the first thing I did after my second zero. That actually helped me a bit. I was getting a lot of suggestions and comments from people. That’s how a cricketer’s life is. You have to listen and you will be criticised. All you can do is listen and ignore. That is because they have a lot of expectations from you. Sometimes you deliver and sometimes you don’t. I expected this.”
After scoring three ducks in a row, Abhishek finally returned among the runs with 15 against South Africa. He soon regained his rhythm, scoring 55 against Zimbabwe and looking close to his fluent best.
However, he once again struggled against England, managing just nine runs.
All eyes were on him in the title clash. This time, however, Abhishek had other plans. He smashed New Zealand bowlers all over the park in the final, scoring a blistering 52 off just 21 balls and stitching a 98-run opening partnership with Sanju Samson to lay a solid foundation for India.
India went on to post a massive 255/5 in their allotted 20 overs before bowling New Zealand out for 159 to win the T20 World Cup 2026 title.
It was India’s third T20 World Cup triumph, having previously lifted the trophy in 2007 and 2024.
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