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Abhishek Sharma struggles, but Faf du Plessis backs him to shine against Zimbabwe amid tactical challenges.
Abhishek Sharma (Picture Credit: AFP)
Team India’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign has hit a serious roadblock. After 4 consecutive victories within the league stage, India began their Super 8 with a humiliating 76-run defeat against South Africa. The batters have been facing scrutiny for lack of consistency, with focus mainly on Abhishek Sharma.
It took him 4 innings to attain his first run within the T20 World Cup. Following three consecutive geese, Abhishek went off the mark with a boundary against South Africa, but was nowhere near his dominant self. A 12-ball 15 only added pressure on him, which he had been feeling for the reason that starting of the tournament.
The clash against Zimbabwe will probably be an enormous probability for him to make an impact. Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis backed Abhishek to play ‘a tremendous innings’ within the remaining matches.
“Tactically, the sport has got so smart with analysts and the best way that they try to get you out,” du Plessis told ESPNcricinfo.
“What I even have picked up of late with Abhishek is people are actually putting a deep indicate and a deep extra cover out because he’s so good at hitting the ball through the offside,” he added.
These days, Abhishek has attracted attention for his ability to hit the ball through the offside, prompting teams to position a deep point and a deep extra cover against him. It’s been observed that he must clarify decisions when he steps onto the sector: either reduce the chance and rotate the strike or aim for his trademark big shots.
The South African star noted that many teams are actually opting to bowl slower deliveries to him. These slower balls entice Abhishek to go for his powerful swings but often lead to mistimed shots that find yourself within the hands of fielders or are completely missed.
“Teams are targeting him with slower deliveries because he has such a graceful swing. The strategy is to take the pace off the ball against someone with a protracted swing,” he explained. The important thing challenge for Abhishek is determining easy methods to handle these deliveries effectively.
Sharing his perspective, he said, “When facing slower balls, I either step down the wicket to generate my very own pace or stay back to regulate for the slower delivery, ensuring my hands aren’t ahead of the ball. While I’m not going to supply Abhishek batting advice, it’s clear that teams are consistently using slower balls against him.”
“There will probably be 1000 opinions, 50 coaches. Everyone will want to present their 5 cents to Abhishek and the best way he should bat. And it’s a tricky place to be when you’re a young guy, 25 years old, in your first World Cup with so many expectations. He has bossed the last yr, smashed every bowling attack in all places,” he added.
Ultimately, the South African supported the teenager to deliver an “amazing innings somewhere on this World Cup,” highlighting his recent IPL performances where he consistently excelled against bowlers.
“He has been unbelievable the last two-three years within the IPL. He whacks bowling attacks all around the ground. He’s the newer generation of T20 cricketer who doesn’t actually should worry about defence. He has so many attacking options. The important thing for him now could be, how do you retain the noise out? How do you make sure that you give attention to your strengths, your game, and keep your mind as clear as possible? Because there may be loads of noise happening when a player is on this state. I even have little question, give him a pair more innings, the teenager will come through, and he may have a tremendous innings somewhere on this World Cup,” he concluded.
(With Agency Inputs)
February 26, 2026, 06:00 IST
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