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Abhishek Sharma backs Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill to win matches for India on the 2026 T20 World Cup despite their poor T20I form.
Suryakumar Yadav (left) and Shubman Gill are India’s leaders within the T20I format (PTI Photo)
Indian opener Abhishek Sharma has strongly rallied behind the out-of-form leaders of his team, captain Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill. The left-hander said that each players will ‘win matches for India’ at next 12 months’s 2026 T20 World Cup, adding that folks will especially ‘gain the trust’ that he has in Gill’s skill.
Suryakumar and Gill are going through their respective worst years in T20Is. Suryakumar has managed only 213 runs at a mean of 14.20, with a strike-rate of 125.29 — his average is the bottom for any captain of a full-member nation who has crossed 200 T20I runs in a 12 months. Gill, alternatively, has 291 runs at 24.25, with a strike-rate of 137.26, failing to attain a single half-century since returning because the opener in September.
Each got out cheaply (Gill scored a run-a-ball 28, and Suryakumar chipped in just 12 off 11) in India’s third T20I against South Africa. Having previously failed in the primary two matches, too, the pressure is peaking on them to seek out some form ahead of the house World Cup, which is now lower than two months away.
“I’ll inform you one thing immediately,” Abhishek, who scored 35 (18), was quoted as saying by Sportstar within the post-match press conference. “Trust me, Suryakumar and Shubman will win matches for India within the World Cup, and matches before the World Cup as well. I’ve played with them for thus long, especially with Shubman. I do know where Shubman can excel, in what conditions, regardless of the opponent. I even have full trust in him. Very soon, everyone else will gain that trust in him, too.”
Suryakumar has rejected all criticism. After the match, which India won by seven wickets due to a superb bowling performance, he said he was ‘not out of shape’ because he was batting ‘beautifully’ in nets.
Gill hasn’t been brought in front of the media yet, but is under extreme pressure. His appointment because the opener through the 2025 Asia Cup got here at the price of Sanju Samson, who had hit three centuries within the position, while also resulting in Axar Patel’s removal because the vice-captain.
Unlike Suryakumar, he doesn’t even benefit from huge past success with the team within the format.
Click here so as to add News18 as your chosen news source on Google. December 15, 2025, 08:00 IST
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