Abhishek SharmaHis poor performance with the bat has become the biggest talking point in Indian cricket, with fans and former cricketers questioning his place in the T20I setup. However, at a time when criticism is increasing, the former India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav The young batsman has come forward to publicly support the batsman, encouraging him to maintain confidence and trust his natural game despite the tough times.
Abhishek Sharma’s struggle continues despite India winning the series
India achieved a spectacular 3-0 T20I series win over Zimbabwe in July 2026, but this victory brought some relief to Abhishek. The left-handed opening batsman endured a forgettable campaign and could only score 1, 8 and 2 in three matches. He finished the series with only 11 runs, adding to his worrying run of poor form.
The numbers paint an equally worrying picture. In his last six T20I innings, Abhishek has scored only 40 runs with scores of 10, 16, 3, 1, 8 and 2. His aggressive batting style, which has often made him one of India’s most destructive powerplay batsmen, has worked against him recently as he has struggled to convert starts into meaningful contributions.
His overall record in 2026 further highlights this issue. In 23 T20 matches this year, Abhishek has been out for less than 20 on 15 occasions, which includes being out on zero six times. Zimbabwean fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani proved to be their biggest challenge during the series, restricting them to just four runs from 17 balls, while dismissing them repeatedly.
Debate on selection intensifies, former cricketers raise questions on management
Abhishek’s prolonged slump has sparked a fresh discussion about India’s selection policy. Many former cricketers believe that the team management has continued to support the opener despite prolonged setbacks, while others have missed opportunities despite strong performances. Former Indian batsman Hanuma Vihari and former chief selector chris srikanth He has openly raised questions as to why Abhishek has the trust of the management. Both pointed to Sanju Samson, who impressed during India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign but was left out of the Zimbabwe tour.
This debate has gained momentum among the fans as well and many are demanding that Samson may return if Abhishek fails to find form in the upcoming matches. However, others believe that India’s long-term plans require patience with young match-winners who are capable of changing the game in a few overs.
Suryakumar Yadav offers words of encouragement
While the criticism continues to mount, Abhishek acknowledged his disappointing performance for the first time through an emotional Instagram post after the Zimbabwe series.
“It hurts when you can’t give back what so many people believe you are capable of. But this game always rewards those who keep performing. Glad the team got the win. And will come back stronger.” He has written.
Soon after, Suryakumar responded with a message aimed at boosting the young player’s confidence. The veteran batsman reminded Abhishek of his contribution in the last two years and urged him not to lose faith during the difficult period.
“You have given many reasons to smile for two years in a row, boy. Made India proud when it mattered most. It’s about time. Be yourself,” Suryakumar wrote.
Also read: Kris Srikkanth urges selectors to take tough decision on Abhishek Sharma after Zimbabwe T20I
